Ahead of ODI series, NZ skipper Michael Bracewell says his team can’t take veteran batting duo lightly; insists both should play 2027 World Cup too
India’s Rohit Sharma (left) and Virat Kohli during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney last year. Pic/Getty Images
New Zealand ODI skipper Michael Bracewell reckons there is no reason for India batting greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to stop playing cricket just yet. The Bracewell-led Kiwi team will be playing a three-match ODI series against India starting at Vadodara on January 11.
Bracewell, 34, who has represented NZ in 40 ODIs, said he would like to see both Kohli and Rohit playing the next ODI World Cup to be held in South Africa and Zimbabwe in October-November next year. “I’d like to see them [Kohli and Rohit] play in the [2027 ODI] World Cup. They’re obviously still playing very good cricket so there’s no reason to stop. They’re both playing beautifully, so why not?” Bracewell said during a select media interaction on the sidelines of TCM Sports — New Zealand Cricket Golf Day event at the Willingdon Sports Club on Tuesday.
NZ skipper Michael Bracewell at the Willingdon Sports Club on Tuesday. Pic/Atul Kamble
Kohli, 37, has scored 14,557 runs in 308 ODIs with the help of 53 centuries, while Rohit, 38, has 11,516 runs under his belt from 279 ODIs, which includes 33 centuries. Bracewell admitted that he cannot afford to take both Kohli and Rohit lightly. “Their [Kohli and Rohit] records speak for themselves, both individually and as a team. They’ve been involved in some great Indian sides and led that side with the bat. You’d be silly to underestimate them, that’s for sure,” Bracewell remarked.
After the three-match ODI series, NZ will be playing a five-match T20I series against India starting in Nagpur on January 21. NZ pacer Kyle Jamieson expects the ODI and the T20I series to serve as good preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting on February 7. “I assume that’s for every team that lands in this country for the T20 World Cup, we’re no different. We’ve obviously got a nice sort of month here to try and prepare through the ODIs and the five-match T20 series and we’ll be trying to put our best foot forward,” Jamieson said.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
