Virat Kohli with childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma. Source- X/ImTanujSinghA long-running debate is whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be picked for the Indian squad for the 2027 World Cup. Meanwhile, Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has finally broken the silence on the star batter's behalf. Retired from Tests and T20Is, Virat Kohli features in the ODI format for India. However, with only one format, a long gap between series keeps the prolific star from playing international cricket. The former Indian captain last played in July, during the ODIs against England, where he slammed two half-centuries in three outings.Virat Kohli's childhood coach on star batter's chances for WC 2027Speaking to India Today, Virat Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, spoke about his mentee's hunger to perform and his fitness standards. He also asked how well Kohli has performed in recent matches. "I think you should see for yourself what he's doing, what he has done in the last few matches, and how he is doing it on the field," Rajkumar Sharma stated while praising Virat Kohli. Also Read: Virat Kohli Outrightly Rejected For 2027 World Cup As Pakistan Veteran Picks Dream 11Furthermore, Rajkumar categorically dismissed the rumours around Kohli's chances to miss the 2027 ODI World Cup, calling him a match-winner. "So I think it should not be a discussion even," Virat Kohli's childhood coach added. "Undoubtedly, he's a match-winner. On his given day, he's a match-winner."Virat Kohli's 2.0 version in ODI cricket since Test retirementNotably, Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket in 2025, playing his last game in the longest format at the SCG in January that year. Since then, he has performed exceedingly well in the ODI cricket. Since becoming a one-format player, he has played 19 ODIs, in which he has racked up 1037 runs at an average of 64.7, including seven half-centuries and four centuries. From January 2025, only three players have scored more runs than Kohli in ODI cricket. He sits next to Joe Root, who has hit 1304 runs in 21 matches, Daryl Mitchell with 1234 runs in 23 games and Shubman Gill (1051 runs in 20 ODIs). Meanwhile, only Root has hit as many centuries as the Indian star batter in the given method.Virat Kohli could get plenty of match practice before WC 2027Virat Kohli is currently in London, enjoying the time off from cricket with his family. He will next play cricket during the West Indies tour of India in September & October, where Team India will play three ODIs and five T20Is.With the 2027 World Cup nearly a year away, the BCCI is looking to squeeze in more ODI assignments for the Men in Blue to prepare for the marquee event. If reports are to be believed, India could play a tri-series featuring Pakistan. Meanwhile, they are in talks with the South African board about an ODI tour away.Among the already scheduled ODIs, India will play three ODIs vs West Indies, five ODI matches in New Zealand, three more against Sri Lanka and three against Zimbabwe through January next year. For Kohli, these matches will hold significant value heading into the road to the 2027 World Cup. Also Read: Delhi Capitals Ask KL Rahul Not To Throw Coffee On Teammates
