If Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not in Indian team in 2027 ODI World Cup, the opponents will be happy: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz admitted that if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play the 2027 ODI World Cup, it will make it tougher for opponents to beat India. The Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter called the two former India captains legends of the sport.

Kohli and Rohit have retired from Tests and T20Is but have their eyes set on representing the Men in Blue in the upcoming edition of the 50-over World Cup, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. They have produced some stellar performances this year in ODI cricket. Kohli and Rohit are averaging 53.77 (11 innings) and 51 (12 innings), respectively.

"As an Afghanistan player, I will be happy if they are not in the team, because if they are not in the team, you will have a better chance to win. They're legends. There is no chance someone will come, and say Virat and Rohit shouldn't be in the same team. If they are not in the team, the opponents will be happy," said Gurbaz.

I call Virat bhai sometimes when I am in trouble, when I need help: Gurbaz

Gurbaz revealed that he asks Kohli for help when he struggles with the bat. The talented youngster said that he recently had a chat with Kohli after going through a lean patch, and he scored a half-century shortly afterwards.

"I call Virat bhai sometimes when I am in trouble, when I need help. We talk, we call. I say, ‘Bhai, I need this help,’ and then most of the time we discuss. Just recently, when I was in a little situation where I was not able to score, I called him — and in the very next game I scored 90-something," said Gurbaz.

When asked about the advice Kohli gave, Gurbaz said that the right-handed batter tries to keep things simple for himself and looks to enjoy the game.

"He is very simple. It’s the way he plays — he makes it very simple for himself, he doesn’t complicate anything. You know, he just tries to work hard and go enjoy. That’s the way we all need to be as well. Because in cricket you cannot be in a situation where you can’t enjoy the game. If you can’t enjoy the game, then you can’t perform," Gurbaz said.

"So, he is the one who has always helped me for the last three years. Anytime I message him, anytime I call him, he is always open to talk," he concluded.