Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes has shared his thoughts on why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be crucial for India at the 2027 ODI World Cup. He pointed out Rohit’s experience in high-pressure tournaments and Virat’s hunger to win matches for his team.
Rhodes, who is known as one of the best fielders ever to play the game, is now the co-owner of the Rotterdam Dockers in the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League. In a conversation with JioStar, he opened up about what makes these two Indian stars so special.
Rohit Sharma’s Experience Makes Him an Asset
Rhodes explained that during World Cups, physical fitness and talent are important, but the experience of being part of such a high-pressure event is equally valuable. He said that people often focus on a player’s performances and skills, but they forget how stressful a World Cup can be.
He shared his own experience of playing in four Cricket World Cups without getting past the semi-finals. He knows firsthand how tough it can get. That is why having someone like Rohit Sharma in the squad is a huge advantage. Rohit has been part of three World Cups from 2015 to 2023, and he has been a standout performer in every single one. In the 2019 edition in the UK, he was the leading run-getter with 648 runs in nine games, including five centuries and a fifty.
Overall, Rohit is the fourth-highest run-getter in World Cup history with 1,575 runs in 28 matches at an average of 60.57. He has seven centuries, which is the most by any batter in World Cup history, and six fifties. These numbers show just how reliable he is on the biggest stage.
Read More: Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer Likely to Attend BCCI Review Meeting After Poor UK Tour
Virat Kohli’s Hunger Makes Him the Ultimate Finisher
Speaking about Virat Kohli, Rhodes said that the Indian star has an absolute hunger to win matches for his team. He compared Kohli’s aggression to that of Australia, who have won six World Cups. Australia’s aggression and expectation to win is something Kohli has brought to the Indian team.
Rhodes highlighted that Virat has been the best chaser in the world for a long time. When a player consistently chases down scores, it shows how determined they are to get the team over the line. Kohli has been the ultimate finisher for India in run-chases.
He also noted that Virat feeds off aggression and loves the contest. He does not mind getting stuck in while batting, and he enjoys the fight. Whether he is captain or not, Kohli just wants India to win, and that drive is always there.
Virat is the second-highest run-getter in World Cup history, with 1,795 runs in 37 matches at an average of 59.83. He has five centuries and 12 fifties. In ODIs overall, he has 14,941 runs in 314 matches at an average of 58.59, with 54 centuries and 79 fifties. His record in successful run-chases is even more impressive. He has made 6,235 runs in 111 matches at an average of 89.07, including 24 centuries and 29 fifties.
Current Form and Looking Ahead
This year in ODIs, Kohli has 384 runs in six innings at an average of 64.00 and a strike rate of over 106, with a century and three fifties. Rohit has had some ups and downs, with 379 runs in nine innings at an average of 42.11 and a strike rate of over 99. He has a century and a fifty, with his best score of 138 against England at Lord’s.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, Rhodes believes that both Rohit and Kohli will be key players for India.
[…] Read More: Jonty Rhodes Backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for 2027 ODI World Cup […]