Rohit, Virat must play 2027 World Cup: Ex chief selector Chetan Sharma

Ex-India pacer Chetan Sharma (right) with ex-India physio Dr Ali Irani during an event in Andheri on Monday. Pic/Satej Shinde

Ex-India pacer and chief selector Chetan Sharma, on Monday, said that he hoped to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and bring back the trophy to India.

Chetan, 60, was in the city to promote the Salute Tiranga Cricket League (STCL).

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

"I am a big fan of Rohit and Virat. They are like diamonds, the Kohinoors of Indian cricket. Age is just a number. Rohit recently got a hundred at Lord's. Virat scores in every game," said Sharma, League Commissioner of STCL.

"A hundred people will have a hundred opinions. I love them, I respect them. I love watching them bat for India, and they win trophies for us. After so many years, Rohit won us an ICC trophy [T20 World Cup in 2024]. We should be grateful for that. If they are fit and are getting runs, why not?"

Chetan was the chief selector, whom Ajit Agarkar succeeded in 2023. Agarkar's tenure ends in the first week of October. "When I was chief selector, we made Rohit the captain. We trusted him. Virat was always an asset. If they are fit and getting runs, selectors should be happy." Eight teams will feature in the inaugural STCL in Udaipur (October 21 to 28). Each team will have a former first-class cricketer in their ranks.