Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play the 2027 ODI World Cup? Ashish Nehra says 'Why not?'

NEW DELHI: Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play in the 2027 ODI World Cup? It is one of the biggest questions for Indian cricket fans.The next 50-over World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027. Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 39 when the tournament begins.Former India pacer Ashish Nehra, however, does not want to make any prediction about the two veterans' future.Nehra said performances can change the situation quickly and it is too early to say whether Rohit and Kohli will still be part of India's ODI plans."We have seen, not in Indian cricket but in any sport, that even 2-3 weeks before, things change. If they are doing well, if they are performing, why not? It's not going to be easy for any coach or any captain when it comes to these players."We all know, we don't need to discuss what they have done in the past. For 13 months, a long time, it is very difficult to say right now that Rohit or Virat will be there. I mean, for those guys, age is no number. I'm saying no to any certainty."Yes, we talk about Shubman Gill, we talk Bumrah, but the same Gill is not in T20 sport. The way he is playing is fast-speed sport in more formats. It is difficult to say. It is too early for me."Nehra has no regrets over 2003 World Cup finalNehra also looked back at India's 125-run defeat to Australia in the 2003 World Cup final at the Wanderers.The former India pacer was part of that Indian team but said he does not spend time regretting the defeat."Not really. What's gone is gone. It's always a good learning. It was not the only final I played, and we lost. I played some other finals also, and we lost. Every time you don't win, yes, as a player, you are always gutted when you look back, but it's not only me."There are so many players, I am sure, in international cricket, who have lost more finals than the final we were discussing."‘I always look forward’Nehra compared India's 2003 World Cup campaign with the team's run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where India lost to Australia in the final in Ahmedabad.He felt both teams had enjoyed strong campaigns before falling short in the final."The whole tournament, we were playing well, in the 2023 50-over World Cup in India, our team was no different, and exactly the final we lost in Ahmedabad."In fact, we were more dominating than we were in 2003, but that's part and parcel of the game. I never look back, and I'm not somebody who regrets too much. I always look forward."‘Coaching India would be a great honour’Nehra was also asked whether he would like to become India's head coach someday.The former India pacer said he does not plan his career in advance, but admitted that coaching India would be a huge honour."First thing first, I will not use the word ambition. I never plan. Yes, it will be a great honour and a privilege, but I never plan things like that. We'll see in the future. No, no ambition. I'm very happy where I am."When it comes to GT, lots of people say like you have done well in coaching. It's not me; it's about the team. Yes, when your captain, when your coach is always associated, that's the way it goes, especially in India, but I'm dead against it. When it comes to team sport, it should not be like Shubman Gill won, or Nehra won, but it should be GT won," he said.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.