Star England all-rounder David Willey, currently playing for the defending champion Dubai Capitals in the ongoing ILT20, has shared insights regarding the futures of cricket icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Both players currently occupy the top two spots in the ODI rankings. Willey expressed his belief that as long as they continue performing and contributing to winning matches, they should remain part of the squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Willey, who retired from international cricket in 2023 after England’s campaign concluded, made this decision after the England Cricket Board (ECB) excluded him from the central contract list for 2023-24. He played his last match against Pakistan during the World Cup, where he also reached 100 international wickets. He remains an active participant in various franchise leagues globally.
In an exclusive interview with India.com from Dubai during the 2025 ILT20 tournament, Willey commented on Rohit and Kohli’s ODI futures, saying, “If they’re performing in scoring runs and winning games of cricket, then they carry on playing.”
He also addressed the hot topic among fans regarding whether Kohli would achieve the milestone of 100 international centuries. Willey noted, “16’s a lot of centuries. I think it’d be magnificent if he got there. Realistically, will he? I don’t know whether he will, but he’s obviously a phenomenal player. If he has the hunger and desire to still play all formats, he’d probably get there if he wanted to stick it out.”
After starting the ILT20 season with two losses, the Dubai Capitals made a strong comeback, securing an impressive 83-run victory against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Willey contributed significantly to this win, taking two wickets. He reflected on the team dynamics, stating, “The environment is good. A lot of people have got a lot of experience in coming into franchise teams now. It’s a bit of a new look from last year’s group, and it has taken a couple of games to find the best balance. Our third game was a good performance, showing a direct correlation between the environment and on-field performance.”
Willey also discussed his experiences in various franchise tournaments, highlighting the different challenges they offer. He emphasized that each competition has unique hurdles, both on and off the field, and navigating these challenges is part of the appeal of franchise cricket.
In his final match for England, Willey was awarded Player of the Match. He fondly recalled a special moment from his career, saying, “My journey from the 2016 World Cup to being left out of the 2019 squad, then returning for the World Cup in Australia, and winning the T20 World Cup was special. Having my family on the field and seeing my kids interact with the Barmy Army at the MCG was something I’ll cherish forever.”
Original Source: https://www.india.com/sports/exclusive-star-england-and-dubai-capitals-cricketer-david-willey-backs-rohit-sharma-virat-kohli-for-2027-odi-world-cup-says-if-theyre-scoring-8226030/
Category: Sports,2027 ODI World Cup,Abu Dhabi Knight Riders,David Willey,Dubai Capitals,ECB,ILT20,Rohit Sharma,Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli,Virat Kohli
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Publish Date: 2025-12-12 08:26:00
