** Afghan Star Rahmanullah Gurbaz Makes Bold Remark on Rohit–Kohli Ahead of 2027 World Cup, Defends Gautam Gambhir**

In the ongoing debate over whether Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will feature in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, Afghanistan’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has made a striking statement. His comments underline the massive impact the two Indian legends continue to have on world cricket.

‘We Would Be Happy If They Don’t Play’ – Gurbaz’s Honest Admission

During an interview with Sports Tak, Gurbaz openly admitted that rival teams—including Afghanistan—would be “happy” if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not part of India’s squad in 2027.

Gurbaz said:
“As an Afghanistan player, I would be happy if they (Rohit and Virat) are not there. Because if they are not in the Indian team, we will have a better chance of winning. They are legends.”

He added that their absence would boost other teams’ confidence, but he also acknowledged that the scenario is unlikely, considering their stature and contributions to Indian cricket.

Rohit & Virat: Still India’s Backbone in ODIs

Both Kohli and Rohit have retired from Test and T20 cricket and currently focus exclusively on the ODI format. Their future participation in the 2027 World Cup has been a subject of speculation, but players worldwide continue to regard them as match-winners capable of turning any game.

Gurbaz Defends Gautam Gambhir Amid Criticism

While speaking on Indian cricket’s recent Test defeats and the criticism directed at Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, Gurbaz came forward strongly in support of the former Indian opener.

Gurbaz, who was part of KKR’s IPL 2024 title-winning squad under Gambhir’s mentorship, said:

“Gautam sir is the best coach, mentor, and human being. I don’t understand why people criticize him. Even if 20 or 30 lakh people are against him, more than a billion Indians still support Gautam sir and the team.”

He further emphasized Gambhir’s achievements:
– Winning the Champions Trophy
– Winning the T20 Asia Cup
– Securing multiple bilateral series
Gurbaz argued that one or two series losses cannot define a coach’s capability.

A Clear Message to Critics

The Afghan batter’s remarks highlight two things:

1. Rohit and Kohli remain the biggest threats on the world stage, even as they approach the twilight of their ODI careers.
2. Gautam Gambhir enjoys strong respect among players, even as scrutiny over India’s recent Test performance intensifies.