The future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian ODI team, particularly concerning the 2027 World Cup, is under scrutiny. Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), addressed the media on the matter.
Kohli and Rohit, now single-format players after retiring from Test and T20I formats, have expressed interest in playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, their participation is not guaranteed. Agarkar stated that both players are "non-committal" about the World Cup.
Agarkar emphasized the importance of Kohli and Rohit scoring runs and maintaining their leadership roles. When asked if they should participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Agarkar stated that they should play domestic cricket whenever available. He added that playing domestic cricket is the only way to stay sharp when there is a long break from international cricket. Following Agarkar's comments, reports suggest that Kohli and Rohit will participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. They are expected to play at least three or four games before the ODI series against New Zealand in January.
Adding to the discussion, former India coach Ravi Shastri stated that the upcoming ODI series against Australia will be crucial in determining their future. Shastri implied that their performance in the series would dictate their path forward. Gautam Gambhir has also weighed in, observing that the 2027 World Cup is still over two years away, and he hopes the veteran batters will perform strongly in the series against Australia.
The debate around Kohli and Rohit's potential participation also involves the challenges of age and match practice. By the time the 2027 World Cup arrives, Rohit will be 40 and a half, while Kohli will be nearing 39. Both players have not played professional cricket since June, raising questions about their readiness for high-intensity international action.
Furthermore, the change in ODI captaincy, with Shubman Gill taking over from Rohit Sharma, adds another layer to the situation. Agarkar explained that having three different captains for three formats is impractical. He also noted the need to prepare the next captain for upcoming challenges, with the next World Cup in mind. Agarkar said that Gill had shown positive signs and ability to thrive under pressure, referencing his performance in England.
