‘They have to play domestic cricket’ Sourav Ganguly’s advice to Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma will be 40, while Virat Kohli will be 38 when the World Cup 2027 begins.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has urged Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play domestic cricket to aid their push for 2027 World Cup. Both veterans have been picked for the IND vs AUS ODIs, with Rohit being replaced as captain. Ganguly believes the decision to appoint Shubham Gill was a ‘fair call’ despite Rohit’s recent successes.

Not sure if Rohit plays until 2027 World Cup: Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly has backed the decision to appoint Gill as ODI captain despite Rohit lifting the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Gill took over from Rohit in Tests with the England series and now starts his ODI reign with the India vs Australia ODI series.

“Somewhere down the line, I feel that it’s a fair call. Rohit can keep playing and in the meantime, you keep grooming a young captain. So, I really don’t see a problem in that,” Sourav Ganguly said as quoted by PTI.

Dada believes at 40 it will be a massive task for Rohit to play the World Cup. He opined that Sharma, alongside Virat Kohli should play domestic cricket at every opportunity to remain in touch with cricket. The duo have retired from both Tests and T20Is.

“Yes, 40 is a lot of age. It depends on him — how fit he stays, how much cricket he plays and how many runs he scores… Whatever opportunity they get, they have to play domestic cricket. Because cricket is a sport where you have to keep playing — otherwise, you lose the touch and the form and the contact,” Ganguly added.

It was actually during Ganguly’s reign as BCCI president that Rohit Sharma was announced as captain. The Hitman replaced Virat Kohli across formats in a stint that lasted until this year.