Sachin Tendulkar had his 2011 World Cup, can Virat Kohli get 2027? Team India asked to recreate MS Dhoni-led magic

Even though Virat Kohli is stepping away from Test cricket and playing less than before, his passion for the game remains as fierce as ever. He had won the World Cup at his first attempt years ago, but the next decade was full of disappointments. It was only in 2024 that Kohli could lift the curse, but the 50-over World Cup trophy still awaits him and his partner in crime, Rohit Sharma.

IPL chief Arun Dhumal shared with veteran sports journalist Vimal Kumar during a discussion on his YouTube channel: “Look at Virat Kohli’s performance in Tests, ODIs and T20Is in the last decade. The way the Indian team played together and won the World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar, given Virat Kohli’s significant contribution not only to India but also to world cricket, this Indian team should do the same for him in the 2027 World Cup.”

Who can forget that unforgettable night on April 2, 2011, when tears flowed freely as MS Dhoni’s team won the World Cup after a gap of 28 years? Young Kohli was among those who hoisted the Master Blaster on the shoulders of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in his sixth and final World Cup, and later uttered these unforgettable words: “He has shouldered the hopes of the country for 21 years; it was time for us to carry him.”

As the 2027 World Cup approaches, Kohli will be approaching 40 years old and will have completed 18 years on the international stage. If he maintains the form he showed in the home ODI series against South AfricaHe has amassed over 300 runs in just three matches and nothing can stop him.

Dhumal also stated that Rohit was on a similar path and had the courage to adapt his game later in his career. While many cricketers start thinking about life after cricket, Rohit has been busy honing his skills.

“Even Rohit Sharma. It took time for him to become an integral part of the Test team, but his performance after taking over the captaincy has been outstanding. And when it comes to white-ball cricket, he was a rock star. As long as they want to play the way they deserve, I don’t think there should be any questions about their future,” Dhumal added.

Virat and Rohit hung up their T20I boots after India won the T20 World Cup in 2024. Then, in May this year, just ahead of the England tour, Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from Test cricket as well, following disappointing displays both in their home country and during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Fans can look forward to seeing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in action again in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 and the ODI series against New Zealand next year.

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