New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel feels that India’s batting icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have the right to decide on their ODI future amid speculation that they will retire from the format after winning the Champions Trophy. Kohli was in fine form during India’s title-winning campaign in Dubai last week when India defeated New Zealand in the final to clinch their third tournament title.
The 36-year-old Virat Kohli scored 218 runs in five matches at an average of 54.50. He scored an unbeaten century to win the group match against archrivals Pakistan before scoring a crucial 84 against Australia in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, skipper Rohit became the second most successful Indian captain in terms of ICC titles. Under Rohit’s captaincy, India clinched their second ICC title in less than nine months by defeating South Africa in the final in Bridgetown to clinch the 2024 T20 World Cup.
They both have great records: Patel on RO-KO
“He is a great player of the game. To be honest, I think they can decide when they have to stop playing. They can continue playing for as long as they want. They both have great records and they are both excellent players and I know that being able to bowl to any of them as a bowler is always worrying,” said Patel, who took all 10 wickets in an innings against India in the Wankhede Test in December 2021.
Asked about New Zealand’s Champions Trophy campaign, the 36-year-old said, “I think India played good cricket on that day. New Zealand played really well throughout the tournament and we played some really good cricket. I think the conditions definitely made it difficult, but at the end of the day, India played very good cricket and unfortunately we lost that day,” he added.
