India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has firmly stated that discussions regarding the potential participation of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the 2027 ODI World Cup are premature and unnecessary at this juncture. His comments came on Sunday, December 1, 2025, following India's thrilling 17-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI at Ranchi, a match set up by a masterful partnership between the two stalwarts.
Kotak's Firm Stance on Future Speculation
Addressing the media in the post-match press conference, Kotak expressed his clear disapproval of looking too far ahead. "In my opinion, there should be no such talks," he asserted. "Talking about things that are two years away, I don’t think there is any point talking about such things. I don’t think we are even talking about the 2027 World Cup." He emphasized that the immediate focus should be on the players' current contributions, which are immensely valuable to the team.
Kotak's remarks were a direct response to questions about the long-term futures of Kohli and Rohit, who now exclusively play the 50-over format for India. He highlighted that their present form and fitness make such speculation redundant. "They are contributing, which is great for the team," he added, praising their experience and match-winning abilities.
A Partnership That Rolled Back the Years
The context for Kotak's statement was a spectacular batting display in Ranchi. Virat Kohli, aged 37, smashed a blistering 135 runs, an innings that included seven sixes and marked his record-extending 52nd ODI century. This was also his 25th ODI hundred on home soil. At the other end, captain Rohit Sharma notched up his third consecutive half-century in the format.
Their 136-run partnership provided the foundation for India's high-scoring total and eventual win. Kotak was effusive in his praise for Kohli's knock, especially after a mixed tour of Australia. "It was an outstanding knock, obviously, he batted really well... He took responsibility, and the way he batted was really good," the coach remarked.
Focus on the Present, Not the Distant Future
Kotak repeatedly steered the conversation back to the players' current brilliance. When specifically asked about Kohli's future, he responded, "I don’t know why do we need to look at all this. He is batting really well. I don’t see any reason we need to talk about his future. Just the way he is batting, he is just brilliant. The way he is performing, the way his fitness is, there are no questions about anything."
The batting coach's message was unambiguous: with the 2027 World Cup still two years away, the team management is not engaging in long-term planning for individuals. The priority remains leveraging the world-class skills of both Kohli and Rohit in the present moment, as they continue to deliver match-winning performances for the Indian cricket team.
