As India prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup, former batsman Cheteshwar Pujara emphasized on Thursday that every bilateral assignment will now be “very important” for stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Kohli and Rohit only play the ODI format in the latter stages of their international careers, which makes it difficult to maintain form after extended absences. The two, who participated in ODI series in Australia, will play in the next series against South Africa, which begins in Ranchi on November 30.
“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,” JioStar expert Pujara said 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,” added the former Test specialist.
“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.”
While Kohli, 37, scored an undefeated 74 in the third match, Rohit, 38, won Player of the Series after smashing 73 and 121 not out in the second and third ODIs in Australia.
“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 said.
“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.”
Since the Champions Trophy in March, India’s plans have not included senior bowler Mohammed Shami, who had ankle surgery after the 2023 World Cup.
He was left out of both the home Test series against the West Indies and the South Africa series, which starts at the Eden Gardens on Friday.
The 35-year-old last played in the longest format against Australia in the World Test Championship final in 2023.
Asked if it is the end of the road for Shami, Pujara said: “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.”
“And if he is being informed that they are not looking at him, then it is always Shami’s personal call whether he wants to carry on playing first class cricket, whether he still wants to, whether he wants to retire from international cricket, I mean he is part of the IPL as well.
“Whether the team management and the selectors, whether they are looking at him or not, that is the communication which should be happening with Shami. He should have a clear road ahead. He should have that clarity of what the selectors and the team management are looking at and what is expected out of it.”
