Kotak latest to weigh in on Rohit and Kohli’s batting after another successful outing with the bat for the duo.
‘They are brilliant, and they are performing’ – Kotak on Ro-Ko at 2027 World Cup.
Despite having the most hundreds in ODI history, Virat Kohli’s focus always shifts to the 2027 World Cup whenever he bats in the one international format in which he is still active. Kohli is currently 37 years old. After two years, will he still be playing? For Sitanshu Kotak, India’s batting coach, “there’s no point talking about all this” and fans should stay in the moment.
“I don’t know why we need to look at all this – he’s really batting well, and I don’t see any reason we need to talk about his future,” Kotak said after Kohli’s 135 from 120 balls took India to victory in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday.
“Just the way he’s batting, it’s just brilliant. The way he’s performing, [and] his fitness – there are no questions about anything,” Kotak said. “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. There’s no point talking about all this. For us, once the team arrives and we start practice, we just enjoy.”
Even yet, Kotak noted, very experienced players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who is a year older at 38, provide value to the dressing room. Furthermore, it’s not as if they’re not performing. Rohit’s last three innings in ODIs have been worth 73, 121* and 57.
“Obviously, they do share their experience with others,” Kotak said. “I don’t think we’re talking anything about the 2027 World Cup. They are just brilliant, and they are performing. They are contributing to the team, which is a great thing for us.”
Similar to Kohli, Rohit only participates in international ODIs. They both have extremely little game time as a result. Nevertheless, Kohli and Rohit displayed strong form and put together a century stand that won the game for the second straight game.
After adding an unbroken 168 against Australia in Sydney last month, they had a stand of 136 in the first ODI against South Africa. Rohit scored 57 at more than a run per ball against South Africa after scoring 121* in a victory over Australia, while Kohli followed 74* in Sydney with 135 in Ranchi.
“They are such experienced players; it’s always great to have them,” Kotak said. “The way they bat – like today also, that partnership – it makes a huge difference. Obviously, they batted really well.”