Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli of India celebrate win during the 3rd ODI match between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia, on October 25, 2025. (CREIMAS for BCCI)Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli “can for sure play the 2027 World Cup if they mentally and physically feel that their bodies can do that”, according to India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel. “They’ve won trophies, they know how to play big tournaments.”
Couple of days ahead of the first ODI against South Africa, where both Rohit and Virat will play, Morkel was asked if he would like to see both play the next World Cup.
“It’s still a long way away.. They’re quality players. As long as they’re happy to put the hard work in and the fitness, sure,” Morkel said.
The South African pacer who became India’s bowling coach last August said he believed in the experience of the two players.
“I’ve always believed in experience and to have that experience, you don’t find that anywhere. They’ve won trophies, they know how to play big tournaments. So for sure, the World Cup, by all means. I’ve played many games against them. I’ve had sleepless nights bowling to them.
“So I know as a bowler what goes through your preparation playing against them. So for me, definitely on board with that (with Kohli and Rohit playing the World Cup).
India will be playing this ODI series without regular skipper Shubman Gill who got injured in the 1st Test in Kolkata where he left the field clutching his neck. He was hospitalized later in the day and while he improved, it wasn’t enough for him to make a comeback in this series.
The skipper was subsequently ruled out of 2nd Test in Guwahati as well as the ODI series with KL Rahul set to lead the Men in Blue. Regular vice-captain Shreyas Iyer also misses the series after he was injured taking a catch in the Australia series last month. He was admitted to a hospital in Sydney to due a laceration of the spleen with internal bleeding and was discharged after a few days.
“I think the best is for the medical to give that. I spoke to Shubman two days ago just to check in with him and he’s recovering well. So that’s pleasing to hear. Shreyas has also started his rehab, which is great. So yeah, we’re looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad. And the good thing is that they’re healthy and they’re starting their preparation on their way back into the team,” Morkel said on Gill and Iyer.
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