Saba Karim Says Virat Is Safe for 2027 World Cup, Rohit Under Pressure

Former India cricketer and former selector Saba Karim has said that Virat Kohli’s fitness and consistent hunger for runs have “completely convinced” the national selectors ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, while Rohit Sharma will need to work harder to secure his place in the plans.

With both Kohli and Rohit having distanced themselves from other international formats, the 2027 ODI World Cup is widely seen as their likely final appearance in Indian colours in the 50-over format.

Rohit Sharma Needs to Prove Fitness and Form

Karim noted that if Rohit Sharma wants to survive in the competition, he will have to show consistency in both fitness and batting performance. He added that the selectors will keep a close eye on Rohit’s performance for the next six months and then take a decision on his prospects in the World Cup.

According to Karim, Rohit’s place in the setup is still open, but it will depend a lot on his output and physical fitness in the coming period.

Kohli Seen as a Certain Part of World Cup Plans

In contrast, Karim expressed strong confidence that Virat Kohli is considered to be part of India’s core group for the 2027 World Cup. He said that Kohli’s fitness standards and relentless run-scoring campaign have left no doubt in the minds of the selectors about his future role.

Karim also pointed out that Kohli, due to his consistent performances, has not shown any signs of needing to “prove anything” at this stage of his career.

Kohli’s Evolving Game in T20 Cricket

The former selector highlighted the improvement in Kohli’s strike rate in T20 cricket during the latter stages of his career and called it a key factor in his consistency across all formats. He observed that Kohli has very consciously worked hard to increase his scoring tempo, especially in the current IPL, where his strike rate has increased significantly compared to the previous season.

Karim also added that Kohli’s incredible ability to continuously improve his game is what sets him apart, calling his success in Test, ODI and T20 cricket a testament to his adaptability and longevity. He further described Kohli as one of the best multi-format players the game has produced.

Rishabh Pant’s White-Ball Form Questioned

Karim also spoke about Rishabh Pant’s struggles in white-ball cricket and suggested that the wicketkeeper-batsman has had enough opportunities at the international level. He said that ultimately it is the player’s responsibility to convert those opportunities into consistent performances, adding that both the BCCI and the selectors have been patient with Pant.

Acknowledging Pant’s success in Test cricket, Karim noted that the same impact has not yet translated into the limited-overs format. He concluded that while Pant has the potential to succeed in white-ball cricket, he is still finding the right approach to repeat his red-ball success in the shorter format.

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