Kallis, Boucher Back Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for 2027 ODI World Cup
Their case rests on current ODI output, strong fitness, with any 2027 call left to the players.
Overview
- South African greats Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher publicly endorsed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to feature at the 2027 men's ODI World Cup co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
- Both Indian batters have stepped away from T20Is after 2024 and retired from Tests in 2025, concentrating on ODIs as debates continue over age and reduced match exposure.
- Kohli led India’s 2025 ODI run charts with 651 runs in 13 matches at 65.10 with three centuries, while Rohit scored 650 in 14 games at an average of 50 and a strike rate over 100 with two hundreds.
- Boucher said Kohli’s fitness is not a concern and framed his participation as a matter of desire, adding that India benefit when the senior pair is available and that a World Cup in South Africa would be stronger with Kohli involved.
- Kallis highlighted the SA20 league’s role in building South Africa’s white-ball depth and confidence, expressing optimism about the hosts’ broader World Cup prospects.