India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak dismisses speculation surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s prospects of playing 2027 World Cup; insists the duo’s 136-run match-winning partnership vs South Africa in Ranchi makes any debate about form and fitness unnecessary
India’s star batters Virat Kohli (right) and Rohit Sharma during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday. Pics.BCCI
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak reflected on the speculation surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI futures and said he could not understand why the duo’s longevity was being debated at all, given their current form.
Kohli was at his vintage best as he scored his 52nd ODI century (135 off 120) on Sunday in India’s 17-run victory in the first ODI against South Africa. He shared a 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma (57). Though Kohli received plenty of praise for his 83rd international century, it also raised questions about whether he and Rohit would continue to play until the 2027 World Cup.
Sitanshu Kotak
Reacting to this, Kotak stated there is “no point talking about all this” since plenty of cricket remains before the ODI World Cup. “I don’t know why we need to look at all this — he’s [Kohli] really batting well, and I don’t see any reason to talk about his future,” Kotak said in a post-match presser. “Just the way he’s batting, it’s just brilliant. The way he’s performing and his fitness — there are no questions about anything. I feel such things [the 2027 World Cup] shouldn’t even be spoken about after the way he plays and performs. That is something which is two years away,” he added.
There has been much speculation about whether Kohli, 37, and Rohit, 38, can maintain their form and fitness. “They are just brilliant. They are contributing to the team, which is a great thing for us.
“They are such experienced players; it’s always great to have them. The way they bat — like today [Sunday] also, that partnership — it makes a huge difference,” Kotak said.
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