MELBOURNE: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri and Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting have shared their insights on the future of Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, saying that “only time will tell” whether the duo will still be around when the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 arrives.

The two modern-day greats, who have already retired from Tests and T20Is, continue to feature exclusively in the 50-over format, with their long-term commitment to ODIs being closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

Rohit and Kohli played their first international match since the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, returning to the side for the ODI series against Australia in Perth. However, their modest performances have sparked discussions about whether the two veterans can sustain their form and motivation for another World Cup cycle.

Shastri: “It’s about passion and hunger at this stage”

Speaking on The ICC Review, Ravi Shastri said players of Rohit and Kohli’s calibre deserve patience and time to rediscover their rhythm after an extended break.

“When you come back from a long layoff, you are obviously going to be rusty,” Shastri said. “It’s not easy for any overseas team to land in Australia two days before a game in Perth and immediately adjust to the extra bounce and pace.”

He emphasised that age and experience bring new challenges — particularly maintaining motivation. “When you come back at that age, after some time away, it’s about how much you’re enjoying the sport and how much hunger and passion is left in you to play. If you tick two of those three boxes, especially the enjoyment part, you can give them both time because they’ve got class and experience. A little time will sort things out,” Shastri said.

He urged fans and critics to avoid premature judgement. “I’d rather wait than jump and judge immediately,” he added, highlighting that adaptability and mindset will determine whether the veterans can continue performing at their best.

Ponting: “Kohli must set short-term goals”

Echoing Shastri’s views, Ricky Ponting said that both Rohit and Kohli remain integral to India’s one-day side but must continue to find purpose in their cricketing journey.

“The one thing I don’t like hearing from anyone is that ‘I’ve achieved everything in the game’,” Ponting said. “You still have to set short-term goals and not just hang on trying to get through to the 2027 World Cup.”

Ponting believes Virat Kohli, known for his intense drive and self-discipline, will likely set specific performance goals for the ongoing Australian tour. “Virat’s always been highly motivated. I’d like to think he’s given himself some goals for this series in Australia rather than just waiting for the next World Cup. At their best, both he and Rohit are automatic picks in India’s top XI,” Ponting said.

“Finding rhythm takes time”

Both legends agreed that returning to competitive rhythm is the biggest challenge after a break. “Finding your rhythm and tempo is the biggest thing,” Ponting observed. “When you’ve had a break, just getting used to the rhythm of 50-over cricket again takes time for anybody.”

He added that Adelaide Oval, where India will play their next match, could be the perfect venue for both batsmen to rediscover form. “There’s no better place to bat in a one-day game than Adelaide Oval. I expect both of them to bounce back quickly — they’ve done it many times before,” he said.

The road to 2027

With both stars in their mid-30s — Rohit aged 38 and Kohli 36 by the time of the next World Cup — their fitness, motivation, and consistency will be key. India’s team management is likely to balance seniority with youth as the squad transitions toward the next generation.

Cricket analysts note that maintaining workload and managing mental fatigue will be crucial for the pair, especially as ODIs remain their sole format. Their experience, however, remains invaluable for mentoring younger players like Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Conclusion

For now, both Shastri and Ponting agree that judgement should be reserved. Whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will still lead India’s batting line-up in 2027 depends not only on their performance but also on their desire to keep competing at the highest level.

As Shastri aptly summed up: “If the hunger and enjoyment remain, class will take care of the rest.”