Most successful captain in international cricket history Ricky Ponting believes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s performances in the current ODI series against Australia are essential for their future until the 2027 World Cup.After a significant break since March, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both struggled in the first match against Australia, focusing the requirement for short-term goals. Ravi Shastri, yet, desires patience, highlighting their class and passion for the game.
Both Indian players, now focused only on one format, faced problems against pace attack of Australia on the bouncy Perth track, contributing to seven wicket loss of India in the first ODI.
In Adelaide, the second match of the three-match series is scheduled for 23 October 2025, where batting conditions are assumed to be more beneficial for the Indian team.
Ricky Ponting, talking alongside former India coach Ravi Shastri on ‘ICC Review’, highlighted the significance of short-term goals for the experienced pair.
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Ponting told ” 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,”
“Virat’s always been a highly motivated person. And I’d like to think that he’s probably sat down and even just given himself some goals and things that he can achieve in this series here in Australia and not be just waiting and killing time for that next World Cup to come around. What we know with both of those guys, at their absolute best, yes, of course they are in India’s best team. But can they find their best between now and when that World Cup rocks around?”
Ravi Shastri, yet, recommended for patience in assessing the presentations of both players, who have been away from determined cricket since the IPL.
