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With Indian cricket entering a transitional phase, the spotlight is once again on two of its biggest icons-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players have officially announced their retirements from Test cricket and T20 internationals. Their departure from two major formats has already stirred emotional reactions from fans and experts. While the duo remains active in ODIs for now, questions are beginning to surface about their future in the 50-over format as well – particularly with the next ICC ODI World Cup scheduled for 2027.
Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play the 2027 ODI World Cup?
Legendary former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has added to the speculation, predicting that neither Rohit nor Kohli is likely to be part of the Indian squad for that tournament. Gavaskar believes that while both have contributed immensely to Indian cricket, the time has come for selectors to shift their focus toward youth and long-term planning.
Talking to Sports Today Gavaskar said “No, I don’t think they will be playing. I am being very honest. But, who knows, in the next year or so, if they strike a rich vein of form, and if they keep scoring hundreds and hundreds, even God can’t drop them.”
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Gavaskar stated that Rohit and Kohli would need to play a lot of domestic cricket like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. If they keep scoring runs there, they can definitely play. He pointed to Sachin Tendulkar as an example, noting that the batting genius played till the age of 40.
He further added: “they have to play a lot of domestic cricket like Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. If there keep scoring runs there, then can definitely play. Look at genius Sachin Tendulkar, he played till 40 years of age.”
The unprecedented legacy of Rohit and Kohli in World Cups
Rohit and Kohli have left an indelible mark on the ODI World Cup stage, shaping India’s modern-day dominance in the format. Rohit, known for his elegant strokeplay, etched his name in history with a record-breaking five centuries in the World Cup 2019 .Kohli, a run-machine and one of the most consistent performers in World Cup history scored record-breaking 765 runs in World Cup 2023. Together, they have amassed thousands of runs, delivered unforgettable moments, and carried the weight of a cricket-crazy nation. Their legacy in ODI World Cups stands as a benchmark for future generations.
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