Should Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue in ODI format? Sourav Ganguly answers: ‘It’s difficult to say…’

In the absence of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India managed to pull off a famous 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The waning batting prowess of both batters was quite evident in the home series against New Zealand and in Down Under later in the red-ball game.

Both Rohit and Kohli have stepped down ahead of the marquee England series, and the duo also called it a day in the T20 format after breaking the jinx of an 11-year trophy drought in Barbados against South Africa in 2024.

However, both have decided to continue in the 50-over format and have been able to churn out runs quite consistently. But there have been speculations about their participation in the 2027 World Cup, especially with the performance of the youngsters. Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly, though, backed Kohli and Rohit and said whoever is performing should play.

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“It’s difficult to say. Whoever does well will play. If they do well, they should continue. Kohli’s one-day record is phenomenal, even Rohit Sharma’s. Both of them are phenomenal in white-ball cricket,” Ganguly said during AWL Agri Business Ltd Event.

Indian cricket stops for no one: Ganguly

Speaking of India’s performance in England and Shubman Gill’s purple patch with the bat, Ganguly said: “Indian cricket stops for no one. There is so much talent. Look at the way they all batted. Outstanding. That is how Indian cricket is. When Sunil Gavaskar left, Sachin Tendulkar came. As did Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman. When they left, Virat Kohli emerged. And when Kohli left, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Gill stood up,” former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly told Sports Tak.

“Indian cricket has so much talent that this will only keep on growing. We have a tremendous system, where domestic cricket is so strong. The IPL is such a platform. Then there is the A team, Under-19 team as well,” he further said.

“India played brilliantly in England. In the second innings of the Manchester Test, they were 0/2, and from there to have levelled the series at the Oval is indicative of a very strong performance. It’s a young team; congratulations to Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir. They went to England with this team only to see everyone perform so brilliantly. I don’t think that after 2002 or 2007, India’s top six batters have consistently delivered such an outstanding performance in England. Be it KL Rahul, Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, or Washington Sundar. They have batted so consistently throughout five Tests, which was heartwarming to see,” the former India captain added.

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