NEW DELHI — Emerging Indian batter and finishing sensation Rinku Singh has voiced passionate support for stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, insisting that the veteran duo should remain central to India’s campaign for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
Reflecting on India’s quest for an elusive 50-over world title, Rinku pointed out that the nation has endured a long wait since MS Dhoni’s team lifted the trophy on home soil in 2011. Despite India’s commanding journey to the final in the 2023 edition, heartbreak against Australia left an unfinished chapter for the senior pair—one that Rinku believes they deserve the opportunity to close.
Speaking on the leadership and unmatched experience that Rohit and Kohli bring to the dressing room, Rinku emphasized their enduring impact under high-stakes pressure:
“We last won the ODI World Cup in 2011, and it has been far too long. Both Rohit bhaiya and Virat bhaiya have given so much to Indian cricket. I want nothing more than to see both of them lift that trophy in 2027. Their fitness, determination, and hunger to win matches for India are still on another level.”
Rinku’s comments arrive amid ongoing discussions across Indian cricket regarding long-term squad planning and the workload management of senior players as the white-ball calendar builds toward South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in late 2027. Both Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from T20 Internationals following India’s victorious 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados, refocusing their national duties on Test matches and One-Day Internationals.
For young players breaking into the national setup, the veteran duo remains an indispensable guiding presence. Rinku highlighted that the composure Rohit demonstrates as a captain and the intense preparation ethic Kohli embodies in every training session continue to set the gold standard for the next generation.
As India balances generational transition with immediate silverware ambitions, backing from inside the locker room makes one sentiment clear: among the emerging stars, the desire to stand alongside Rohit and Kohli on the 2027 podium remains as strong as ever.