Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are widely regarded as two of the greatest white-ball players in cricket history, but ongoing discussions continue around their long-term future in the ODI format. With the 2027 World Cup set to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, speculation about their roles in the squad has intensified.
Speaking about Rohit Sharma, Pathan emphasized how the Indian captain’s ability against pace and short-pitched bowling makes him especially valuable for South African conditions. He pointed out that Rohit’s comfort with bounce and his strengths in pull and cut shots could be key assets in those conditions.
“What ability does Rohit Sharma bring with him? He plays the short ball very well. Cut and pull are his strengths… You get bounce, and who can take advantage of bounce better than Rohit Sharma?” Pathan said.
On Virat Kohli, Pathan highlighted the batter’s unmatched experience and elite chasing ability in ODIs. He stressed that Kohli’s presence at number three becomes crucial, especially in pressure situations or early wicket collapses.
“What does Virat bring with him? He brings his experience. No one chases better than him in ODIs… You need this ability in South Africa,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kohli may reportedly miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury sustained during the IPL 2026 season while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite the setback, he enjoyed a strong campaign, scoring 675 runs at a strike rate of 165.85 and playing a key role in guiding RCB to back-to-back IPL titles.
