Former India captain and selector Kris Srikkanth believes Virat Kohli is the ‘one man’ who can lead India to 2027 World Cup glory, despite the many questions hanging over the team just over a year before
the marquee event in Africa.
Kohli, 37, scored two half-centuries during India’s recent three-match series in England. Despite the questions over his age and longevity in the format, the right-hander has maintained his form, not allowing too much debate about the number three position.
But the series left bare India’s troubles beyond him, like a lack of a genuine pace all-rounder in the injury-prone Hardik Pandya’s absence, inconsistent batting combinations and a lack of bowling variety. There’s a growing sense that India will once again have to rely on its best batter to be extraordinary.
“The great thing about Virat Kohli is he knows what he is,” Srikkanth said on Star Sports. “The management doesn’t have to tell him anything about how to do things and when to do it. He’s a very committed cricketer. It’s one man because of whom RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) has won back-to-back titles and that’s Virat Kohli. It’s his energy that binds the team and takes them through. Likewise, if India has to win the 2027 World Cup, the one man who can do it is Virat Kohli,” he added.
Kohli’s long-term batting partner, Rohit Sharma’s place is also doubtful, with more rumors circulating about him, which were only marginally put off by his brilliant, record-breaking century at Lord’s.
“The management and 9head coach Gautam) Gambhir constantly keep saying that no one is a certainty. So hopefully if Rohit Sharma continues proving himself and scoring runs, he should start the World Cup. His fiery starts are very important for India,” Srikkanth said.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been touted as Rohit’s backup.
“Jaiswal has scored two centuries in his last three ODI innings. And he has scored centuries in all kinds of conditions. That guy is very capable and deserves the first right of refusal as India’s backup batter,” he added.
However, India can only take two of Rohit, Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan, who is also the backup wicketkeeper, to Africa without compromising the squad balance, which makes the selectors’ choice quite difficult.
