Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has stunned the Indian fans with a bold and playful remark regarding the ICC World Cup 2027 in South Africa. Gurbaz joked that he would be more than happy if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were not part of India’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2027.
Gurbaz’s comments came at a time when the future of both Indian legends has been under discussion despite their sublime form with the bat in ODI cricket. Notably, both Virat and Rohit have already retired from Test and T20I cricket, and now they are aiming to finish their careers with the ICC World Cup 2027.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz says rivals would celebrate if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli miss the ICC World Cup 2027
However, Indian selectors have stayed silent, making things even more uncertain. But both players have delivered loud answers with their performances. After impressing on the Australia tour, Rohit smashed a brilliant fifty while Kohli hammered a majestic ton in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi. These knocks showed that the two icons are far from slowing down.
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Given their form, experience, and skillset, Gurbaz noted that every opponent in the world would be more comfortable if Rohit and Kohli were not playing, because beating India becomes much harder when both are in the XI. He called them legends who can change any match, even on difficult days.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was quoted as saying by India Today: “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 on the same team. If they are not in the team, the opponents will be happy.”
Rahmanullah Gurbaz reveals how Virat Kohli mentors him through rough times
The Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter also revealed that he often turns to Virat Kohli for help whenever he hits a rough patch in his batting. Over the past three years, Gurbaz has called or messaged Kohli several times, asking for guidance when things felt difficult, and he helped him.
Gurbaz shared, “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.”
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Rahmanullah Gurbaz opens up about Virat Kohli’s clear and easy guidance
The 24-year-old revealed that Kohli keeps his advice extremely simple and doesn’t complicate anything. The Indian star focuses on hard work, a clear mind, and enjoying the game rather than overthinking. Gurbaz said that this approach has helped him to perform with more freedom.
He signed off by saying, “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. 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.”
Currently, both Rohit and Kohli are playing for India in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur. On the other hand, Gurbaz is playing in the ILT20 2025 in the UAE.
