Why even discuss it? Virat Kohli's coach certain he'll be at 2027 World Cup

Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has dismissed doubts over the batter's 2027 World Cup prospects. He believes Kohli's performances, fitness and hunger have made his place in India's ODI plans beyond debate.

In Short

• Rajkumar Sharma said Kohli’s recent ODI form settles selection doubts
• Since the Champions Trophy, Kohli has scored 760 runs in 12 matches
• Kohli will be back in action later this month in ODIs against the West Indies

There is still a question being asked about Virat Kohli’s place in India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans. His childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma, however, believes there should be no question at all.

“I think you should see for yourself what he’s doing, what he has done in the last few matches, and how he is doing it on the field. So I think it should not be a discussion even,” Rajkumar told IndiaToday.in on the sidelines of Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) ceremony to honour and reward grassroots cricketers in Delhi.

Since the 2025 Champions Trophy, Kohli has been India’s leading ODI run-scorer, making 760 runs in 12 matches at an average of 76, including three hundreds and five fifties. For Rajkumar, the performances have already made the case.

“I mean, as a player, I think he’s a tremendous player. Undoubtedly, he’s a match-winner. On his given day, he’s a match-winner,” he said.

‘ROHIT IS A MATCH-WINNER’

The same, Rajkumar believes, applies to Rohit. At 39, the former India captain continues to find himself at the centre of speculation over his ODI future, despite scoring 727 runs in 15 matches since the Champions Trophy at an average of 51.92, including two hundreds.

“I mean, as a player, I think he’s a tremendous player. Undoubtedly, he’s a match-winner. On his given day, he’s a match-winner.”

Rohit’s century at Lord’s in July briefly pushed the retirement chatter into the background, his hundred serving as the kind of on-field response that had been missing from the debate. Yet the speculation resurfaced ahead of the BCCI’s September review meeting, prompting secretary Devajit Saikia to address it directly, insisting Rohit was still playing superbly and remained firmly in the selectors’ plans.

But while Rohit’s future continues to invite questions, Rajkumar sees little reason to spend time debating Kohli’s. His confidence comes from having watched the batter long before he became one of the biggest names in world cricket.

“He had tremendous confidence in his own ability, and he works really hard. He’s got tremendous work ethics,” Rajkumar said.

Those qualities, he believes, were visible from the beginning.

“Yeah, he was a God-gifted guy. I mean, God has made him for cricket and the work ethics he had were simply brilliant, and that is why he became such a big player.”

For Rajkumar, Kohli’s longevity is not simply about runs. He points to the standards the former captain has set with his fitness and preparation.

“He has given the fitness mantra not only to the cricketers, but to the whole country. So he has contributed a lot for Indian cricket, and I’m really proud of him.”

That pride is deeply personal. Rajkumar has been part of Kohli’s journey for more than 25 years, from the days when the youngster first came to his club.

“We talk among ourselves also. When he became the captain, he said he never thought of it, that we’ll be there. So, I mean, it is a nostalgic moment. We always remember those.”

The West Indies series, beginning on September 27, offers Kohli and Rohit their next chance to turn the conversation back towards cricket. With three ODIs in 10 days, there will be little shortage of scrutiny — or opportunity — for the two veterans to underline that their value is still best measured by what they produce in the middle.

And the calendar offers them a substantial runway beyond that. India travel to New Zealand for five ODIs between November 4 and 15 before Sri Lanka arrive for three more in December. By the time that stretch is over, both will have had a sizeable body of 50-over cricket in which to shape the argument over their places in the 2027 World Cup squad.

- Ends