Australia’s hard-hitting opener Travis Head believes that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the “great white-ball” duo, will continue to play till the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The elite Indian batsmen have been the focus of heated conjecture regarding their future as the ODI series gets underway in Perth on Sunday.
Even though the forthcoming series is anticipated to be Rohit and Kohli’s last in Australia, Head told reporters he would bet on them playing in the ODI World Cup two years later.
“Two quality players, two of the great white-ball players. Probably, Virat is the greatest white-ball player. Rohit is probably not far behind.
“As someone who opens batting in the same format, holds huge regard for Rohit and what he’s been able to do. So, I’m sure they will miss them at some stage, but I think they’re both going to be 37, aren’t they?” said Head while standing alongside Axar Patel.
Because of the IPL, India and Australia play one other regularly in a variety of formats, and their players are familiar with one another. But Head has never had the opportunity to talk to Rohit about his batting, and he intends to do so soon.
“It’s nice just watching from afar, as someone who plays the game in a similar way, I think, and having played a lot against him in IPL and a lot of international cricket against him, I feel like he goes the right way about things, he plays the game in the right way.
“But, yeah, I’ve never really come in contact with him, haven’t had the opportunity to play with him anywhere. But, yeah, there might be an opportunity, but like I said, I think he’s going to play for a little bit longer and have the opportunity to play in India a few bits, so that opportunity may come,” said the southpaw.
When asked if he would play all eight white-ball matches against India given the approaching Ashes, Head remained evasive.
Head explained that Cameron Green’s exclusion from the India series was more of a precautionary move ahead of the Ashes.
“I’m sure he’s (Green) going all right. He’s in good hands. I haven’t spoken to him just yet, so it’s pretty new. So, yeah, work through it. It’s like nothing else with some guys, getting some injuries. We’ve got, obviously, Josh (Hazlewood) in the same position as well.
“So, yeah, work through that. But, unfortunately, we’re not going to have him. I don’t think it’ll have any impact on the Ashes. It’s more disappointing that he’s not here at the moment for the next three games,” said Head.
Head anticipates that the series will be fiercely competitive, as it frequently has been in the past.
“Yeah, always a big series. If you look at the guys playing the series, eight games, it’s against highly skilled opposition. So, it’s a very exciting start to the summer,” he added.
