Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma get major boost from Ex-India teammate, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets Certificate

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lead India's charge at the 2027 ODI Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Dhawan's support comes at a pivotal time. Both stalwarts announced their Test retirements in May 2026, shifting focus to white-ball cricket. ODIs, once a calendar staple, now take a backseat to T20s, leaving them with sparse game time. Yet, they've silenced critics with stellar outings - Rohit smashing 450 runs at 56.25 in 8 ODIs this year, including two centuries, while Kohli notched 520 runs at 72.22, blending anchors with aggression.

At 39 (Rohit) and 38 (Kohli), questions persist regarding their India future, but Dhawan insists both veterans can enrich the India squad at the World Cup.

"Of course they can, and they should play. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both are experienced, and you need experience going into the ODI WC, which is only a year away," Dhawan asserted in a recent interview with ANI.

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Dhawan predicts Sooryavanshi's India Debut

Dhawan didn't stop there, showering praise on Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old batting whiz Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The prodigy has lit up IPL 2026, topping the Orange Cap race with 400 runs in 9 matches at an average of 44.44 - one ton and two fifties fueling RR's playoff push.

"Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is doing extremely well. I am very impressed by him. The way he is taking on bowlers easily when they are bowling him at 145 kmph, it's fantastic, and the day is not far when he will debut for India," he added.

As India eyes a third ODI World Cup title, Dhawan's words bridge generations-veteran nous meets youthful fire. Rohit Sharma is currently in IPL action with Mumbai Indians, but has missed the last few matches with an injury. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, has been in immense touch with the bat as RCB sit 2nd in the points table.