2027 ODI World Cup: Sourav Ganguly makes a big statement on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future - 'won't be easy'

Ganguly Foresees Fitness Challenges for Kohli and Sharma in 2027 ODI World Cup

Dubai: India's Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final cricket match between India and Australia, in Dubai, UAE. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma) *** Local Caption ***

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has voiced concerns about the fitness and future participation of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Ganguly believes that maintaining peak physical condition and securing their places in the squad will be difficult, considering the limited international playing opportunities available to them.

The next ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. By 2027, Kohli will be 38 years old, while Sharma will be nearing 40.

India has 27 ODIs scheduled across nine bilateral series leading up to the World Cup. This translates to approximately 15 international games per year for both players.

"All of us must understand, just like everyone, the game will go away from them and they will go away from the game," Ganguly told PTI. "It won't be easy, with 15 games a year."

Both Kohli and Sharma, who have amassed 25,000 runs and 83 international centuries between them, have previously expressed their desire to compete in the 50-over global event after their retirements from Test cricket.

When questioned about whether he had any advice for the pair, Ganguly responded, "I have got no advice. I think they know the game as much I do. They will take a call."

Ganguly admitted that finding a suitable replacement for Kohli would be a time-consuming process but remained confident about the future of Indian cricket following their eventual retirement.

"I was not concerned at all. Virat is a class player. Finding his replacement will take time. But the rest, I wasn't surprised," he stated.

Speaking about former player Yuvraj Singh, Ganguly lauded his exceptional career in white-ball cricket, while acknowledging the limited opportunities he received in Test matches.

"I remember seeing Yuvraj for the first time in Nairobi and saw that he is special. What he went on to do for India after that in one-day cricket is unreal. He was 2007 World T20 player of the series, 2011 World Cup, player of the series, runs, wickets fielding, he was special," Ganguly recalled.

"Unfortunately he did not get many opportunities in Test matches. He played about 30 odd Test matches, he got stuck between Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly and VVS Laxman, but a special player," he concluded.