NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has thrown his weight behind Indian batting icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, insisting that both veterans still have plenty left in the tank and should be part of India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.The legendary Pakistan batter, popularly known as the ‘Asian Bradman’, dismissed concerns surrounding the duo’s age and said their skill, experience and continued ability to score runs make them automatic contenders for the marquee tournament, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.“Both are very, very good in terms of skill and, given their experience, I don’t see any reason why they should not play the World Cup. Age should not be a factor as long as they are fit and continue scoring runs,” news agency PTI quoted Zaheer as saying on a Pakistani television channel.
‘Experience makes the difference’
Zaheer, regarded as one of Pakistan’s finest batters after scoring more than 100 first-class centuries during his illustrious career, believes Kohli and Rohit possess qualities that only grow stronger with time.According to the former Pakistan skipper, scoring runs becomes second nature for players of their calibre after spending years at the highest level, while their experience remains invaluable in major ICC tournaments.He also assessed the fitness of the two Indian greats, saying Kohli continues to maintain exceptional physical standards.“Kohli is still supremely fit, while Rohit just needs to pay a little more attention to his fitness,” Zaheer observed.The Pakistan great added that India would benefit immensely from having both veterans in the dressing room during the 2027 World Cup campaign.His remarks come at a time when speculation over the future of India’s senior stars continues despite both producing match-winning performances in the ODI format.
Rohit’s century leaves Zaheer impressed
Zaheer reserved special praise for Rohit after watching the former Indian captain’s recent century against England, saying the opener’s batting remains a delight to watch.“I watched Rohit score a hundred against England, and it is still a pleasure to watch him bat. He plays so effortlessly and with such sweet timing,” he said.Rohit’s knock against England once again underlined his credentials in the 50-over format, while Kohli has also continued to deliver consistently, strengthening the argument that the experienced pair could still play a crucial role at the next World Cup.Reflecting on the changing nature of modern cricket, Zaheer acknowledged that T20 cricket has introduced several innovative strokes into the game. However, he insisted that the fundamentals remain just as important, saying every batter aspiring to succeed across formats must master traditional shots like the cover drive and the cut shot.The former Pakistan captain also spoke about his country’s cricketing future, expressing confidence that better days lie ahead.“Hopefully, the return of Babar Azam as Test captain will turn things around. He is a world-class player and, once he starts scoring runs consistently again, it will have a positive impact on the rest of the team as well. Good times will return for Pakistan cricket,” Zaheer said.
