‘Going to play only IPL’ – Former Indian cricketer’s bold take on Kohli, Rohit’s 2027 World Cup plans

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan feels that Virat Kohli will only play the Indian Premier League from now onwards. Kohli has retired from T20Is and Test cricket, making the 50-over format his only active one. Kohli has been played every season of the IPL since its inception in 2008.

The former T20 World Cup winner also noted that Kohli could also take part in First-Class cricket, but not while viewing it as a platform to prove himself. He mentioned that the biggest challenge for non-active players like Kohli is maintaining fitness levels.

“Talking about these professional cricketers, whose only focus is to play cricket for now, the biggest challenge for them would be playing regularly and staying fit. Virat is going to play IPL only, and then whenever there is first-class cricket, but just to play and not to prove anything. So, continuing the game time will not be an easy task. T20 has taken over and one-dayers have taken a backseat, so a number of matches has gotten changed in both,” Pathan was quoted as saying by Revsportz.

Pathan also revealed the conversation he had with Rohit Sharma in the past regarding the same. He also commented on Mohammad Shami’s future in the Indian team.

“World Cup 2027 won’t be a challenge if continuity of the game time is handled. Unfortunately, there will be pressure on them. I’ve spoken to Rohit Sharma and he’s very keen about fitness. Then Virat, I am sure is very keen as well with the way he has been seen practising in England. I have also seen a statement from Mohammed Shami which says that he’s very very keen too,” he added.

Pathan underscored the importance of being in touch with the game, hoping that head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have their agenda clear with respect to the future of players like Rohit and Kohli.

“I hope that the communication has been very clear. Knowing Gautam (Gambhir) and Ajit (Agarkar), I think they will make it very clear in terms of communication. Having game time regularly will keep away all sorts of challenges. If you’re talking about 2027, that challenge will be there because they’re not playing for India currently. After, say, three games against Australia and IPL, if there is a big gap, then the continuity breaks,” noted Pathan.

India are coming on the back of a 2-2 draw against England in the five-match Test series. They will next feature in the Asia Cup, scheduled to commence on September 9 in UAE.

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