Every bilateral series will be crucial for veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup, former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara said on Thursday, given that both players now exclusively participate in the ODI format which poses challenges in maintaining form during extended breaks between matches.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Kohli and Rohit, who recently played in the ODI series in Australia, are set to participate in the upcoming series against South Africa starting November 30 in Ranchi.
“For both of them, I think each and every series will be very important because when you are just playing one format. It is important for a player to be in touch with the game and they will be playing after a bit of a break which makes it a little more challenging,” said Pujara during a Media Day ahead of the first Test against South Africa.“Having that experience of playing just one format, I can talk from my experience that when you play international cricket after a long time, you are trying to find the rhythm. When it comes to white ball cricket, it’s slightly easier,” Pujara added.“But at the same time, because of the age they have to work hard and which they have been, they have seen the results recently that they have scored runs. And we are hopeful that they will carry on playing till their 2027 World Cup,” the former Test specialist said.Rohit, 38, demonstrated excellent form in Australia, scoring 73 and 121 not out in the second and third ODIs, earning him the Player of the series award. Kohli, 37, contributed with an unbeaten 74 in the third match.“It will be their personal call. I don’t think we should be looking that far ahead. It is also depending on how their body is responding, how they are enjoying just playing one format of the game and if they are enjoying it and carrying on and if they are having a good form then we will see what happens going forward,” Pujara commented.“But as of now I think each and every series becomes very important because for them to, one is to perform, to score runs, to maintain that rhythm and to sustain that form is very important and that’s why I believe that each and every series, each and every match becomes very important for them.”Regarding Mohammed Shami, the senior pacer who underwent ankle surgery after the 2023 World Cup, and has been absent from India’s plans since the Champions Trophy in March, Pujara called for a “very honest conversation with him”. Shami was not selected for the home Test series against West Indies and the upcoming South Africa series.Shami’s last Test appearance was in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.“I’m not the one to answer .. I mean, the selectors and the team management should have a very honest conversation with him. What’s the plan going forward? Whether they want to pick him or they are looking at the young players,” Pujara said about Shami’s future.
