'Potentially Disruptive': Daryll Cullinan Puts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli On Notice

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-09-06 21:07:30 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-07 01:04:08

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By the time the next ODI World Cup rolls around in 2027, iconic cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may well be past their prime. That's the warning issued by former South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, adding that the duo should pave the way for younger talent such as Shubman Gill to take over as ODI captain.

Cullinan, a brown-belt mentor under Cricket South Africa's (CSA) Transformation Charter, was asked about Gill's recent ascent to the ODI captaincy for the series against New Zealand. The 23-year-old is the third youngest player to captain India in the format, after Sharma (at 20 years) and Kohli (at 19 years). "I think it's great. I mean, I am one of those guys who always say that you don't want guys to hang around too long - and by that, I mean, obviously, beyond their sell-by date," said Cullinan. "I think Rohit and Kohli are potentially disruptive figures in that environment. You don't want that kind of a situation."

Sharma is 35 years old and Kohli is 36. As Cullinan points out, both are still going strong, with Kohli recently leading India to an ODI series win over Sri Lanka, and Sharma fresh off a spectacular innings against the Netherlands. But, "somewhere towards the 2025-2027 World Cup, you're going to see a shift," warns Cullinan, "and they must make room for a guy like Shubman Gill, who I think is a future champion."

According to Cullinan, dividing opinions and causing unrest within the team is seldom a good thing for the sport. "I think it's very important that you create an environment that's nurturing, that's positive, that allows guys to be at their best, and that takes into account what I call 'the human element'," he says. "And when you've got potentially disruptive figures - in any environment - that can be a challenge."

As history repeats itself, only time will tell whether Cullinan's advice will resonate or be disregarded. The latter would be a costly mistake, if the former South African captain is proven right.

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