Shastri, Ponting divulge World Cup prospects of Rohit, Kohli

India legend Ravi Shastri and Australian great Ricky Ponting have delved into the recent return to international cricket made by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and revealed whether they think the duo remain on track to feature at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027.

Rohit and Kohli have retired from Tests and T20Is within the last 18 months, meaning 50-over cricket remains the only format they feature in and the pair played their first international fixture since the ICC Champions Trophy at the start of March when they contributed modest returns with the bat against Australia in Perth on Sunday.

Much conjecture surrounds whether the Indian greats will prolong their career until the next edition of the World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe in 2027 and whether the long absence from international cricket affected their form ahead of their return in Australia.

On the road to the 2027 Cricket World Cup

Shastri and Ponting shared their thoughts on Rohit and Kohli with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review and the pair agreed that time will tell whether the duo will still be around in 2027.

"When you come back from a long layoff, you are obviously going to be rusty," Shastri noted.

"It's not easy for any overseas team to land in Australia, say, two days prior to a game in Perth and adjust to those conditions straight away, especially when you have that extra bounce and against quality fast bowlers.

"But I think only time will tell. They'll go to Adelaide, they have some time off to get into the nets, get their minds sorted and get back into action.

"So I'm in no hurry to judge, but it's when you come back at that age, after some time, it's about how much you're enjoying the sport and how much hunger is there and passion is left in you to play the game.

"So if you tick the boxes in two out of those three, especially the enjoyment part of it, then you can give them both time because they've got class, they've got experience and a little bit of time will sort things out. But I'd rather wait than jump and judge immediately."

Bilateral series the current focus

Ponting echoed the sentiments of Shastri and believes Kohli in particular will be targeting some short-term goals during the Australian tour that will help him decide whether to keep playing on.

"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,” Ponting said.

"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're in India's best team.

"But can they find their best between now and when that World Cup rocks around?

"And that's only an answer that, like Ravi said, that we'll find out in a short period of time.

"They will get some really good batting wickets coming up over the next few weeks here in Australia. There's not many places that are better to go and bat in a one-day game than Adelaide Oval, which is coming up in a couple of days."

Next chance to score comes in Adelaide

Ponting thinks it will only be a matter of time before Rohit and Kohli are among the runs again and that could come as soon as the next ODI against Australia in Adelaide.

"Finding your rhythm and tempo is the biggest thing. When you've had a break, just getting back used to the rhythm and the tempo of the 50-over game again, it takes a little bit of time for anybody," Ponting said.

"I'd expect to see both those guys bounce back into it pretty quickly.

"As I said, Adelaide is a great place to bat and a great place to play cricket. But it won't be easy for the fact that they are facing some of the best white-ball bowlers that have ever played the game. So, the challenge is definitely there.

"But I say it all the time, you don't write off champion players ever. And these two guys have been two of the best, and while I'm on record saying I think Virat's the best 50-over player I've ever seen, you don't write them off.

"They'll find a way to contribute and win games for their team, and if they do that, then they'll most likely be in that World Cup team in 2027."

Legacy will remain strong regardless of finishing date

Shastri coached Rohit and Kohli for a lengthy period and when they were at the peak of their powers and knows better than most just how adorned the pair are in India and all around the world and especially in Australia.

The former India coach said the pair are well respected by Australian crowds and would do nothing to diminish their legacy by prolonging their career.

"The contribution is not over two or three years. The contribution is over a decade, decade and a half in the case of Virat," Shastri noted.

"It's massive and people don't forget that.

"And they've played against some of the best bowlers that have been part of the game.

"It's special. Their legacy will remain. Whether they finish tomorrow or they finish the day after or whenever. That legacy will remain."