ODI World Cup 2027 | 'There’s no need to explain it to him’: Rohit Sharma backs Virat Kohli ahead of mega event

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (Pic: File Pic)

The ODI World Cup 2027 is set to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Ahead of the global showpiece, Team India's veteran opening batsman Rohit Sharma feels that there is no need to remind Virat Kohli about the importance of the tournament, considering the amount of experience he carries.

"No, no. He has been playing for so many years. Whether it's the '27 World Cup or the '23 World Cup, there's no need to explain it to him. World Cup is World Cup. And I'm pretty sure that everyone who is going to be part of the team understands the importance of a World Cup. And specially Kohli. I mean, the one who has played the most World Cups, I think in this team, it's him," he said on JioStar.

He then highlighted that the Delhi-born cricketer will be playing his fifth ODI World Cup, and is also the player to feature in the most global tournaments in the current Indian team.

"50-over World Cup: he played 2011, '15, '19, '23. Four World Cups he has played. This will be the fifth. So obviously, he has played the most, so he knows the importance. So, this discussion does not happen. The discussion is about what we can do. When we are batting together, we are discussing about whom to attack, whom to take a single off, what to do," added Sharma.

Earlier, a grand ceremony in Johannesburg unveiled the 12 venues that will host next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, with eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia's capital Windhoek selected as tournament locations.

ODI World Cup 2027: Venues for the mega event

South Africa will host games at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, SuperSport Park in Centurion, Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban, St George's Park in Gqeberha, Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Boland Park in Paarl and Buffalo Park in KuGompo City (formerly East London), according to the ICC website.

Zimbabwe will stage matches at Harare Sports Club in Harare, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls, while Namibia's capital Windhoek will host games at the Namibia Cricket Ground.

(With ANI Inputs)