'India should win 2027 World Cup for Rohit-Virat': says IPL chairman Arun Dhumal

As Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gear up for the Vijay Hazare Trophy-where they'll sharpen their skills before India's upcoming ODIs against New Zealand-IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has issued a heartfelt plea to the current squad.

With the veterans ageing gracefully yet still anchoring India's white-ball setup, Dhumal envisions a poetic repeat of cricket history by winning the 2027 ODI World Cup as a tribute to their unparalleled contributions.

Drawing parallels to the 2011 triumph, Dhumal emphasized the need for the new generation to step up.

"Look at Virat Kohli's performance across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is over the last decade. The way the Indian team played together and won the World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar-given Kohli's significant contribution

not only to Indian cricket but also to world cricket, this Indian team should do the same for him at the 2027 World Cup," he told journalist Vimal Kumar.

Kohli, who was part of MS Dhoni's 2011 winning side that clinched the title against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium, recently smashed over 300 runs in three ODIs against South Africa, quashing doubters. Rohit, absent from that squad but now a white-ball powerhouse and former captain, has transformed India's Test fortunes too.

"Even Rohit Sharma-it took him time to become an integral part of the Test team, but once he took over the captaincy, his performances have been phenomenal. And as far as white-ball cricket goes, he's been a rockstar. I feel as long as they want to play and continue performing the way they are now, no questions should be asked about their future," Dhumal added.

Both players, limited to ODIs in recent times, eye the 2027 showpiece as their final international hurrah, making Dhumal's words a rallying cry for a nation still haunted by the 2023 final heartbreak.