The transition phase in Indian cricket has officially begun with Shubman Gill taking charge as India’s new ODI captain. However, the spotlight continues to hover over veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohliboth of whom have been central figures in India’s cricketing journey over the last decade. With the duo nearing the twilight of their international careers, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shed light on what it will take for them to remain in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Irfan Pathan on key challenges for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Pathan, speaking on his YouTube channel, acknowledged that while both Rohit and Kohli possess the skill and hunger to play till 2027, maintaining peak ‘game fitness’ would be their biggest challenge. The former cricketer underlined that fitness is not just about physical conditioning but also about staying match-ready through regular competition.

“Rohit (Sharma) and Virat (Kohli) want to play the 2027 World Cup, but game fitness will be a big challenge for them. Rohit has worked well on his fitness. He is focused on that. But there is regular fitness and game-time fitness. If you are not playing regularly, both of them will have to ensure some game time. They have to play domestic cricket,” Pathan stated.

The former swing bowler also pointed out that long breaks, such as the one both batters took after IPL 2025, could affect their rhythm and match sharpness. India’s recently announced white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Australia include both Kohli and Rohit, marking their return to action after a lengthy absence. Pathan believes such participation is vital if they are serious about extending their careers.

Pathan provides the pathway for Rohit and Kohli to feature in 2027 World Cup

With both Rohit and Kohli no longer featuring in India’s T20I setup, their international schedules have naturally become lighter. Pathan stressed that domestic cricket could play a crucial role in keeping them in form and rhythm.

“They are big players and know exactly what to do. They have all the experience in the world. But since they are not even playing T20Is, there will be big gaps between the few matches that they play before the World Cup. They will need regular game time to be fit for that. Only then will their dream to play the 2027 World Cup come true,” he added.

Pathan’s comments come amid growing discussions about India’s roadmap for the next ODI cycle.