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Kohli and Rohit retired from Test cricket last year and currently represent India only in the ODI format. Apart from international assignments, both players are actively involved in the Indian Premier League, where they continue to deliver impactful performances for their respective franchises.
Ponting, who captained Australia to ODI World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007, said experienced players such as Kohli and Rohit should never be underestimated because of their competitive mindset and enduring hunger for success.
“I can see them pushing ahead and trying to get there. One thing I’ve always said about champion players is never say no. You never write them off,” Ponting, currently serving as head coach of Punjab Kings, said in remarks quoted by PTI.
The former Australian captain also praised Kohli’s consistent performances during IPL 2026 and highlighted Rohit’s improved physical condition this season.
“Virat’s been a good example of that again through this IPL. He’s not playing as much international cricket as he once was, but that determination and desire to win is still there. Rohit Sharma has turned up at this IPL in better physical condition than I’ve seen him probably in about 10 or 12 years,” Ponting said.
“So the passion is still there for those guys to push on and make themselves the best players they can be,” he added.
Kohli has scored 542 runs in 13 matches during IPL 2026, including one century. Rohit, who returned after recovering from a hamstring injury, has largely featured as an impact player for Mumbai Indians. He has scored 283 runs in eight matches, including two half-centuries.
Both Kohli and Rohit have maintained strike rates above 160 this season, underlining their continued influence in limited-overs cricket.
On Tuesday, both players were included in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against the Afghanistan national cricket team beginning on June 14. Rohit’s selection, however, remained subject to fitness clearance due to his recent hamstring issue.
Selectors are expected to take a final decision on the duo’s participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup closer to the tournament, with their future likely to depend on form, fitness, and workload management over the coming months.
The continued presence of Kohli and Rohit remains significant for Indian cricket, with both veterans still demonstrating elite fitness, match-winning ability, and the experience required for major international tournaments.
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