Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup? Gautam Gambhir answers
The stage is set for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to return to action as Indian fans count down the days for the Australia Tour to go on floors. The India vs Australia ODI series will see “Ro-Ko” take the field for India after over six months. However, as high as the excitement is for their much-awaited comeback, similar worry surrounds their future. With Shubman Gill replacing Rohit Sharma as the India ODI captain, uncertainty has clouded their involvement in India’s plans for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. As the debate around their careers following the Australia Tour grows louder, Gautam Gambhir has now addressed the chatter.
"Stay in the present": Gautam Gambhir speaks on India's plans with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for 2027 ICC ODI World Cup
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has chosen not to offer any assurances about senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma being part of India’s blueprint for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. Both veterans, who last represented India during the ICC Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year in the UAE, are set to make their return in the ODI leg of the upcoming white-ball India vs Australia series.
The India head coach made the statement during his press interaction after Shubman Gill and Co. sealed a 2-0 sweep in the India vs West Indies Test series with a seven-wicket win in the Delhi Test. The victory marked Gill's first series win as the Indian red-ball captain. The focus now shifts to the India vs Australia series where Gill will take his first step as the new India ODI captain, the successor of Rohit Sharma.
Concerns over the spots of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup emerged after the announcement of the India squad for Australia Tour. With Shubman Gill appointed as the India ODI captain, the BCCI made it clear that the execution of its plans for the marquee tournament has already begun. Meanwhile, chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed during a press conference that Virat Kohli and Rohit remained “non-committal” about the World Cup. Agarkar’s comments, coupled with Gill’s appointment, raised significant concern over the future of Rohit and Kohli in the Indian setup.
On one hand, the management has pressed the pedal on preparing for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, with the transition phase already in effect. On the other, the likes of Agarkar and now Gambhir have reiterated the need to focus on the present. When asked about their intention to include “Ro-Ko” in the World Cup squad, Gambhir, in his latest interaction, urged fans and the cricket fraternity to focus on the present.
In a curt response, Gambhir suggested that their selection would hinge on performance and fitness on a game-by-game basis rather than pre-decided plans stretching to 2027. The coach underlined that sustained form and physical readiness will be the only parameters determining their place in the World Cup roadmap.
“2027 World Cup is 2.5 years away. It’s important to stay in the present. Kohli and Rohit are both quality players. Hopefully, they have a successful tour in Australia,” Gambhir said.
Meanwhile, as discussions run rife about the future, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have arrived in Delhi ahead of the India vs Australia series. Earlier on Tuesday, Kohli was spotted at the Delhi airport, confirming his arrival from London, where he has now settled with his family. The former India skipper trained and even underwent his mandatory fitness test in the UK itself. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, chose to fine-tune his preparations at home.
The veteran opener began his training last month at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru before shifting base to Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, where he practiced under the guidance of former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar. Both players, along with the rest of the Indian contingent, are scheduled to depart for the Australia Tour on Wednesday, marking the start of an important phase in India’s build-up to the next major ODI cycle.
