NEW DELHI: India's new head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed confidence that veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can continue playing until the 2027 ODI World Cup if they remain fit, but he emphasized that the final decision lies with the players.
Rohit, 37, and Kohli, 35, recently retired from T20 Internationals but will continue to play Tests and ODIs.
In his first press conference since taking over from Rahul Dravid, Gambhir highlighted the experience and skill that Kohli and Sharma bring to the team. He pointed out their strong performances on major stages like the T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup.
As it happened: Gautam Gambhir's press conference
"I think they've shown what they can deliver on the big stage, whether it's the T20 World Cup or the 50-over World Cup," Gambhir told reporters.
"One thing I can be very clear of is that both those guys have a lot of cricket left in them. More importantly, with the Champions Trophy (in 2025) and a big tour of Australia (from November 2024), obviously they would be motivated enough," Gambhir said.
"Then, hopefully, if they can keep their fitness, the 2027 World Cup as well. But this is a very personal decision. I can't say how much cricket is left in them. Ultimately, it's up to the players to decide how much they can contribute to the team's success," he added.
While underscoring the importance of focusing on team performance over individual players, Gambhir also acknowledged the immense value Kohli and Sharma bring to the team with their world-class capabilities.
"Ultimately, it's the team that's important. But looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver, I think they still have a lot of cricket. They're world-class players and any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible," Gambhir said.
Gambhir's tenure as head coach officially starts with India playing three T20 internationals and three ODIs in Sri Lanka, beginning on Saturday in Pallekele.
