NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's ODI futures continue to grab attention in Indian cricket, with former all-rounder Irfan Pathan backing the duo to play the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Both Kohli and Rohit, who have retired from Tests and T20Is, will feature in the three-match ODI series against Australia in October - their first international assignment since the Champions Trophy in March.

Pathan believes that with sufficient match practice, nothing can prevent Kohli and Rohit from remaining in contention for the 2027 World Cup.

"For Kohli and Rohit, the only challenge would be to play regular cricket. Otherwise, they are all outstanding. Talking about these professional cricketers, whose only focus is to play cricket for now, the biggest challenge for them would be playing regularly and staying fit.

"Virat is going to play IPL only, and then whenever there is First-Class cricket, but just to play and not to prove anything. So, continuing the game time will not be an easy task. T20 has taken over and one-dayers have taken a backseat, so the number of matches has gotten changed in both. World Cup 2027 won't be a challenge if continuity of the game time is handled. Unfortunately, there will be pressure on them," Pathan told RevSportz.

"Whereas Rohit Sharma, I've spoken to him and he's very keen about fitness. Then Virat, I am sure is very keen as well with the way he has been seen practising in England. The keenness is important from the player's point of view, so this is a great thing about them – that they are in touch and working on their fitness as well."

Pathan emphasised that regardless of what coach Gautam Gambhir and the BCCI chief selector decide, the communication with senior players like Kohli and Rohit must be 'very clear'.

"I really think that should be the case, and I hope that the communication has been very clear," Pathan said. "Knowing Gautam (Gambhir) and Ajit (Agarkar), I think they have made it very clear in terms of communication. And as I said, having game time regularly will keep away all sorts of challenges.

"If you're talking about 2027, that challenge will be there because they're not playing for India currently. After, say, three games against Australia and the IPL, if there is a big gap, then the continuity breaks."