Ricky Ponting said champion players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should never be written off, backing the Indian stars to remain in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Former Australia captain and current Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting has backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to continue playing at the highest level and potentially feature in India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Both Rohit and Kohli stepped away from Test cricket last year and are now focused mainly on the ODI format, while also participating in the IPL. Despite questions surrounding their future because of age and workload management, Ponting believes the two veterans still possess the hunger and quality required to compete at the elite level.
“I can see them pushing ahead and trying to get there. One thing I have always said about champion players is you never say no. You never write them off. Virat has been a good example of that again through this IPL,” Ponting said while speaking to PTI.
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Kohli Continues To Shine In IPL 2026
Virat Kohli has once again produced a strong IPL season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The star batter has scored 542 runs from 13 matches, including a century, and remains among the leading run-getters in IPL 2026.
Ponting highlighted that even though Kohli is no longer playing across all formats for India, his competitiveness and commitment remain unchanged.
“He isn’t playing as much international cricket as he once was, but that determination and want to win are still there. Rohit has turned up at this IPL in better physical condition than I have seen him probably in about 10 or 12 years,” Ponting added.
Kohli has maintained a strike rate of over 160 this season, underlining his ability to adapt and dominate in modern T20 cricket despite being in the later stages of his career.
Rohit Sharma Impresses Despite Injury Concerns
Rohit Sharma has also delivered valuable performances for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026, although his campaign was briefly interrupted by a hamstring injury. Since returning, he has primarily featured as an Impact Player for MI.
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The Indian skipper has scored 283 runs in eight innings, including two half-centuries, while maintaining a strike rate above 160.
India recently included both Rohit and Kohli in the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan beginning on June 14. However, Rohit’s participation is still dependent on clearance related to his hamstring issue.
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