Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli doing everything to last till 2027 World Cup: Ricky Ponting

"I can see them pushing ahead and trying to get there. One thing I've always said about champion players is you never say no. You never write them off," Ponting, the head coach of Punjab Kings in the IPL, told PTI.

Ponting doubled down on his belief that the Indian duo still have plenty to offer at the highest level, pointing to their performances and mindset in the ongoing IPL as clear evidence that age has not dimmed their competitive edge.

"Virat's been a good example of that again through this IPL. He's not playing as much international cricket as he once was, but that determination and want to win is still there. Rohit Sharma has turned up at this IPL in better physical condition than I've seen him probably in about 10 or 12 years. "So the passion is still there for those guys to push on and make themselves the best players they can be. So like I said, you never say never," added the Australian icon.