NEW DELHI: Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting, two of the sport's most respected figures, recently shared their insights into the long-term futures of Indian greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, specifically analyzing their potential to feature in the 2027 Cricket World Cup.

Speaking on the most recent episode of The ICC Review, the experts addressed the duo’s quiet return to the ODI format against Australia following their retirements from Test and T20I cricket.

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Ravi Shastri's Assessment

Shastri was quick to defend the modest returns of the veterans in Perth. He attributed the low scores to the unavoidable consequences of an extended layoff and the difficult adjustment to fast Australian pitches.

Shastri noted the universal challenge of returning to the game: "When you come back from a long layoff, you are obviously going to be rusty," he said. He pointed out the difficulty for any overseas team to quickly adjust to the extra bounce in Australia with minimal preparation time against quality fast bowlers.

He stressed that judging their form now is premature. For players of their stature, the key to their longevity lies in their emotional commitment and passion. The former India coach provided a detailed look at the factors determining their future: "So I'm in no hurry to judge, but it's when you come back at that age, after some time, it's about how much you're enjoying the sport and how much hunger is there and passion is left in you to play the game."

Shastri believes giving them time is the best approach, provided their passion is intact: "So if you tick the boxes in two out of those three, especially the enjoyment part of it, then you can give them both time because they've got class, they've got experience and a little bit of time will sort things out. But I'd rather wait than jump and judge immediately."

Ricky Ponting's Focus

Ponting agreed with Shastri and added that Kohli, in particular, will likely focus on short-term goals during the Australian tour, which could help him determine whether to continue playing.

Ponting also said that "The one thing I don't like hearing from anyone is that 'I've achieved everything in the game’ because I think you still have to have some really short-term goals and not just be hanging on to try and get through to the 2027 World Cup," he stated.

He maintained that when both players are at their best, they are essential to the Indian side, but finding that immediate form is the current challenge.

Both legends are highly confident the scores will come quickly. Ponting pointed out that after a break, the main hurdle is simply regaining the "rhythm and tempo of the 50-over game."

He predicted an immediate improvement in the upcoming match: "I'd expect to see both those guys bounce back into it pretty quickly."

Ponting highlighted the second ODI venue as ideal for batters: "As I said, Adelaide is a great place to bat and a great place to play cricket." He concluded by stressing that these champion players cannot be written off, as they will find a way to contribute and win games, thereby securing their place for 2027.