Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the India National Cricket Team, and Ajit Agarkar, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chairman of selectors, are facing calls to clearly communicate their expectations to senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. This comes amidst speculation about the future roles of Sharma and Kohli in India's ODI plans, particularly concerning the 2027 World Cup.

Concerns have been raised that Sharma and Kohli might not be in Gambhir and Agarkar's plans for the 2027 World Cup. The selectors reportedly doubt that Sharma and Kohli can maintain their form by playing only one format sporadically. Agarkar has stated that there is no precedent for one-format white-ball players performing well in the long term. He added that only Kohli and Sharma can determine whether sporadically playing cricket impacts their performance.

There is a perception that Gambhir and Agarkar want to usher in an "Aussie-style" culture, prioritizing the team above individual stars. This shift potentially marks a move towards younger players and a focus on building a team for the future. It has been suggested that Shubman Gill, as an all-format captain, presents the BCCI with an opportunity to establish a strong role model for the next decade.

Some reports suggest that the duo may not get support from the selection committee and the head coach to extend their ODI careers until the next ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027. This is because Agarkar and Gambhir reportedly feel that Rohit and Kohli are not in their scheme of things for the 2027 World Cup.

While some reports indicate that Kohli might still have an outside chance for the 2027 World Cup, Sharma's international career is seemingly nearing its end. However, it's important to note that both Sharma and Kohli had retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup.

It has been noted that Gambhir's press conferences emphasize meritocracy, fitness, and potential when selecting players. Gambhir himself has stated that "Indian cricket matters, not Gambhir".

Ultimately, the message is that clarity and open communication are needed to ensure Sharma and Kohli understand their positions within the team's future plans.