New Delhi, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former India batter Suresh Raina believes India would have a 90 per cent chance of winning the 2027 ODI World Cup if veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain part of the team for the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Raina made the remarks while backing former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh’s call for greater consistency in India’s ODI setup ahead of the marquee tournament.
Yuvraj had urged the team management to avoid making major changes at the last moment and ensure that players receive enough game time in the limited number of 50-over matches available before the World Cup.
Raina, meanwhile, highlighted the experience and record of Rohit and Kohli, pointing to their success in winning major trophies for India as well as in the IPL.
“Absolutely, I think we have the gun player; we have a gun machine at home. We have the best captains who won a lot of trophies in IPL as well as for the country, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli,” Raina told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Delhi.
“Virat, we don’t need any introduction because they are different player. I think I have played a lot of matches with them. Virat wants it. I think this time we are playing the World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe. I think if both of them stay, there is a 90% chance of winning the World Cup,” he added.
Raina also referred to India’s defeat to Australia in the 2003 World Cup final in South Africa, saying the experience could provide additional motivation when India return to the region for the 2027 edition.
“Especially when we lost in South Africa in 2003, we have to take revenge for that as well,” he said.
Yuvraj had earlier stressed the importance of giving a settled group sufficient exposure ahead of the World Cup, particularly with the growth of T20 cricket leaving fewer opportunities for ODI matches.
“They need to focus on building the same team to play in a year’s time, because you don’t want to make big changes at the last moment,” Yuvraj told Cricinfo.
“Whoever your players are, whether they are 16 or 20, it’s important that everybody gets game time because obviously now there are more T20s and fewer 50-over cricket matches. Whatever matches there are, it’s important that players get enough game time to prepare for the World Cup,” he added.
Rohit and Kohli have both been included in India’s 15-member ODI squad for the upcoming three-match home series against the West Indies. Shubman Gill will lead the side, with KL Rahul named vice-captain.
The series will begin in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, followed by the second ODI in Guwahati on September 30 and the third in Chandigarh on October 3.
Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, will be part of India’s Asian Games campaign.
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