Former Indian chief selector Sandeep Patil reckons there will be no problems replacing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as India has a solid bench strength. The 2027 ODI World Cup is expected to be the last for the veteran duo and Patil reckons India should be good with or without them.
Kohli and Rohit have been the two most consistent players for India over the years and have delivered across all conditions.
Patil said it is up to Rohit and Kohli to decide their future and the selectors have no right to take that decisive call. Recently, there were doubts raised on Rohit Sharma’s future, but he scored a stunning knock of 138 runs off 110 balls in the last game to put all doubts to bed.
Sandeep Patil said on SportsNext, “It is up to these two players. Will they want to continue playing? Will they be able to maintain their fitness? What is the selectors’ strategy? Are the selectors looking ahead? Along with the current players, we always have to consider whether we have someone strong enough to replace them if the time comes for them to be left out of the team. And considering the Indian team’s bench strength, which I just spoke about, I don’t think there will be any problems, whether Virat or Rohit are in the team or not.”
The 1983 World Cup-winning player said Kohli and Rohit have been legends of the game over the years.
“These two players have been around for many years and will be regarded as legends. Rohit Sharma has been a remarkable player in white-ball cricket. As far as Virat is concerned, the more I say about him, the less it will be.”
Patil is optimistic that India will continue to produce good quality fast bowlers after witnessing top facilities at the BCCI’s CoE.
“We have three or four bowlers who can bowl at speeds of around 140 kmph, and they are doing well. It’s not as though Indian bowling will come to a complete standstill once Jasprit Bumrah is gone. Someone or the other will come through. Just two days ago, I was at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru with VVS Laxman. Look at the facilities there. I would say the BCCI has done a remarkable job. With facilities like these, I am 100% confident that Indian cricket will continue to produce not just good bowlers but good batters.”
Rohit and Kohli will be seen in action in the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies.
