Parthiv Patel Urges Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to Play Vijay-Hazare Trophy – Here’s Why

Parthiv Patel suggested that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play the Vijay Hazare Trophy to stay match-fit ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has suggested that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stay match-fit ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Both players continue to work hard in the nets, but with limited ODIs over the next two years, maintaining form will be challenging.

Earlier, players had 20–25 games annually, allowing them to build momentum. Patel believes participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy between South Africa and New Zealand ODIs could help the duo stay in rhythm.

“Two years is a long time and especially if you see there aren’t too many ODI games. Like earlier times when there used to be 20-25 games a year, you get on a roll and before you know two years passed by. But it is a different challenge and we are also new to this kind of a challenge. The challenge is to keep themselves match-fit,” PTI quoted Parthiv as saying.

“I would definitely feel that they should play Vijay Hazare Trophy. It is not about setting an example like ‘We have made Kohli and Rohit play Vijay Hazare’. That’s not how I would like to think. Playing Hazare Trophy will help their own game and that in turn will help the Indian cricket team,” he added.

Shubman Gill Can Focus on Strategy, Not Management

With Shubman Gill set to captain India in the upcoming series, Parthiv Patel believes he will manage senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma smoothly. Both Kohli and Rohit are experienced and flexible, having previously guided or supported new captains themselves.

“I don’t think that it will be problem because of the kind of characters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are. You look at Virat, he became captain when MS Dhoni was still playing. He knows what role a senior plays in grooming a new captain. Same thing was there when Rohit became the captain. Yes, Virat wasn’t his senior but nevertheless a former skipper,” he said.

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“Obviously, they have gone through that phase and understand the decision, which is about betterment of Indian cricket, both of them always come across as mature. I don’t think Shubman needs to put in his energies behind managing those senior players,” the former cricketer concluded.