Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif is confident that India’s veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will play the ODI World Cup. Kohli recently missed the ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, which he suffered in the IPL final against Gujarat Titans.
Kohli has returned to the ODI squad for England ODIs, but his participation will be subject to fitness clearance. On the other hand, Rohit was also troubled by hamstring problems during IPL 2026, and he missed five matches for Mumbai Indians.
Rohit returned with scores of 16, 48, and 79 in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Kaif said Rohit has been working hard on his fitness.
“I will take the guarantee of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Rohit is working on his fitness, he will push himself and somehow manage to play. Injury happens to everyone, even to youngsters. He has that passion, the temperament is seen in his batting. His batting as a captain and as a player is very different. The approach has changed. He is not pouncing on every ball,” Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Kaif said India’s 2027 ODI World Cup playing XI will be almost identical to the 2023 ODI showpiece.
“I feel that the playing 11 for the 2027 World Cup, it will be almost the same team that played in 2023. The majority of the players will be the same. You will have Bumrah, Kohli, Iyer, Rahul, Kuldeep, all these. So there are good chances. India will be favorites with Bumrah, Kohli, Gill, even Hardik will be back. These are big names. The opposition will have to play their best cricket against India to beat them,” he stated.
The Natwest trophy final hero said the England tour will be crucial for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
“The conditions in England will be somewhat difficult. There is not much bounce as in South Africa, but the ball certainly moves. How many ever ODIs are there from here, the big games, you need to keep the blade of the bat sharp. No matter how big a player, he will want to be in touch. That is why this series is important for Rohit and Virat. I am not talking about form. There are already many standing in line to talk about age and form when these two fail,” he said.
India will play three ODIs against England.
