In a candid statement that’s bound to spark discussions among Indian cricket fans, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has weighed in on the future of two of India’s greatest modern-day players — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Ganguly believes that by the time the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup arrives, it will be extremely challenging for both players to maintain their place in the Indian squad, especially given their age and the demanding nature of international cricket.

A Race Against Time

The next ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held in 2027 across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. By then, Virat Kohli will be 38, and Rohit Sharma will be touching 40. According to Sourav Ganguly, “It won’t be easy to stay fit and keep performing at the highest level at that age, particularly when India is scheduled to play just around 27 ODIs across nine bilateral series until then — which amounts to roughly 15 matches a year.”

The limited number of ODIs in the lead-up to the next World Cup means there will be fewer opportunities for both stalwarts to prove their form and fitness. This concern is even more relevant now, as both Kohli and Rohit have recently announced their retirement from Test cricket, a move many believe was aimed at focusing on ODIs and T20s — especially the 2027 World Cup.

“They Know Their Game Best”

When asked what advice he would offer the veteran duo, Sourav Ganguly — himself a legendary ODI batsman — chose to take a step back. “I won’t offer them advice. They understand their game very well. They know when to take a call on their future,” Sourav Ganguly said.

Sourav Ganguly emphasized that while both players have been legends in their own right, time eventually catches up with everyone. “We all must understand that one day the game will move on, and so will they,” he added, hinting at the inevitable transition that awaits Indian cricket.

“Kohli is Irreplaceable, But Cricket Will Move On”

While acknowledging Kohli’s greatness, Sourav Ganguly admitted that finding a like-for-like replacement for the Delhi-born batsman would take time. “A player like Virat doesn’t come around every day. It will take time to find someone like him,” he said.

However, he maintained a calm outlook about the future of Indian cricket, saying, “I’m not worried. Indian cricket will find its way. It always does.”

Interestingly, Sourav Ganguly also reflected on the career of Yuvraj Singh, calling him a “special player” in white-ball cricket who, unfortunately, did not get enough opportunities to showcase his talent in the traditional Test format. This serves as a reminder of how even some of the most gifted cricketers had to deal with format-specific challenges.

The Road Ahead: Who Will Step Up?

With Kohli and Rohit potentially on the final stretch of their glorious ODI careers, the big question now is — who steps up? While India has a rich pool of young talent, filling the shoes of these two icons won’t be an easy task. Ganguly’s comments highlight both the challenge and the opportunity that lies ahead for the next generation of Indian cricketers.

As fans, we might still get to see Kohli and Rohit in blue for a few more years — but Sourav Ganguly’s words serve as a reality check: time doesn’t wait, not even for legends.