Harbhajan Singh gives a fiery opinion on Virat Kohli’s future with Team India, saying, “Ask any 19-year-old competing with Kohli.”
In the aftermath of India’s unexpected 2-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka, the cricketing fraternity is abuzz with speculation about the futures of two of India’s most celebrated cricketers—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup marking a significant milestone in their illustrious careers, many are wondering if this tournament was their last hurrah in the shortest format of the game. Both players have since made it clear that their focus will now shift towards the more traditional formats of cricket, especially after successfully ending India’s prolonged wait for an ICC title.
Rohit Sharma, as captain, led his team with poise and precision during the T20 World Cup, culminating in a memorable final. On the other hand, Virat Kohli, who had faced a slump in form, reclaimed his status as one of the finest batsmen in the world with a stellar performance against South Africa in the semi-final. His magnificent knock was instrumental in India clinching their second T20 World Cup title in the Caribbean. The triumph brought immense joy to millions of Indian cricket fans, who had longed for such a moment on the global stage.
However, after the euphoria of the World Cup victory, reality set in as India returned to the grind of international cricket with a One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka. Both Rohit and Kohli were named in the squad, signaling their intent to continue contributing to Indian cricket in the 50-over format. The series against Sri Lanka, however, proved to be a mixed bag for the two batting stalwarts. While Rohit Sharma showcased his consistency by finishing as the leading run-scorer for India, Kohli struggled to make an impact, averaging a modest 19.33 across the three matches.
This stark contrast in their performances has led to renewed discussions about their roles in the team, particularly in the context of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled for the following year. India is slated to play only three more ODIs before this prestigious tournament, and the pressure is mounting on the senior players to deliver.
Amidst the growing chatter about the future of these cricketing giants, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has weighed in with his thoughts. Speaking to the Press Trust of India (PTI) after the conclusion of the Sri Lanka series, Harbhajan expressed confidence in the longevity of both Rohit and Kohli’s careers. He believes that the duo still has much to offer to Indian cricket, particularly in the longer formats of the game.
“Rohit can easily play for two more years,” Harbhajan said, underscoring the captain’s ability to continue leading the team in the foreseeable future. Harbhajan also emphasized Rohit’s importance to the team, particularly in terms of his leadership and batting prowess. Despite the occasional dip in form, Rohit has consistently demonstrated his value to the Indian side, and Harbhajan is optimistic that he can maintain his high standards for at least a couple more years.
Turning his attention to Virat Kohli, Harbhajan was equally effusive in his praise. “You never know with Virat Kohli’s fitness, you can see him competing for five more years. He is probably the fittest guy in the team,” Harbhajan remarked. Kohli’s dedication to fitness is well-documented, and it is this commitment that Harbhajan believes will allow him to extend his career at the highest level. In fact, Harbhajan went so far as to suggest that Kohli’s fitness levels are superior even to those of much younger players. “You ask any 19-year-old competing with Virat on fitness, Virat will beat him. He is that fit,” Harbhajan added, highlighting the former captain’s extraordinary physical condition.
Harbhajan also touched on the broader question of whether Rohit and Kohli should continue to be a part of the Indian team moving forward. In his view, as long as the duo remains fit and continues to perform, there is no reason for them to step aside. “I believe Virat and Rohit have a lot of cricket left in them, and it is entirely up to them. If they are fit enough, they are performing and the team is winning, they should continue to play. As simple as that,” Harbhajan asserted.
The former off-spinner also expressed his belief that both Rohit and Kohli have crucial roles to play in nurturing the next generation of Indian cricketers, especially in Test cricket. As India prepares to face Bangladesh in a home series that includes two Tests and three T20Is, Harbhajan stressed the importance of having experienced players like Rohit and Kohli in the squad. India is currently at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with six wins, two defeats, and one draw. Harbhajan believes that the presence of seasoned campaigners is vital for maintaining this momentum.
“Red-ball cricket, you really need these two guys to play a little bit more than what people are asking. You need experience in all formats, whether it’s limited-overs cricket or Test cricket. You need experienced cricketers to nurture the talent that is coming up,” Harbhajan said, reinforcing the value of experience in the team. He also pointed out that selection should be based on performance rather than seniority. “Selectors need to see that if someone is not performing well, they should be dropped, whether they are senior players or juniors. But as long as everyone is fit, they should be able to get selected in the team,” he concluded.
As India looks ahead to a busy international calendar, the contributions of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will remain under the microscope. While their careers may be entering a new phase, the influence and impact of these two cricketing legends on Indian cricket are far from over.
