Head coach Gautam Gambhir has addressed speculation surrounding the international futures of Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Following India’s ODI series victory against South Africa, Gambhir emphasized the enduring value of their experience and expressed optimism about their continued contributions to the team in the 50-over format.
India secured a 2-1 series win over South Africa with a dominant nine-wicket victory in Vizag. After the series decider, Gambhir praised Rohit and Kohli for their consistent performance, highlighting their indispensable role in white-ball cricket, especially ODIs. His comments aim to alleviate concerns among fans regarding reports of friction within the team, particularly since the veteran batsmen have focused on specific formats.
At the post-match press conference, Gambhir elaborated, “They (Ro-Ko) are quality players. They are world-class players in the format. Their experience is important in the dressing room. They are quality players in the format. They are doing what they do. They have been doing it for a long time. Hopefully, they can continue doing the same, which is always going to be important come the white ball format and the 50-over format.”
Kohli and Rohit are on a path to potentially feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup, even as they approach their late thirties. Their continued high-level performance has reportedly left selectors with few reasons to consider alternatives, a situation that might test Gambhir’s reputation for making tough calls on player selection. Both stars have recently received Player of the Series accolades, underscoring their ongoing impact.