There’s still some time before the 2027 ODI World Cup gets underway, but speculation over India’s squad composition has already begun, with the focus on their two batting mainstays – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both are in their late 30s, and with the next generation of Indian batters knocking on the doors of the ODI team, questions over their places have naturally emerged.
So far, both have continued to justify their spots despite the occasional failure. Of the two, however, Kohli has a stronger case, with his selection all but certain thanks to his consistency, experience and fitness levels. Rohit, on the other hand, has struggled with injuries in recent times but has bounced back to produce innings that show he still has plenty left in the tank.
The Indian selection committee, meanwhile, has taken a pragmatic approach to managing transitions. Under former chairman Ajit Agarkar, it oversaw changes across the Test and T20I teams, with Rohit and Kohli retiring from both formats, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin calling time on their India careers, and Ravindra Jadeja stepping away from T20Is to make way for the next generation.
A similar approach has been evident in ODIs, too. Mohammed Shami, a hero of the 2023 World Cup, has slipped down the pecking order despite impressive performances in domestic cricket. Instead, the selectors have been giving opportunities to the likes of Harshit Rana and Gurnoor Brar, among others.
BCCI president Mithun Manhas believes that fitness and performances, rather than age, should determine a player’s eligibility for an India spot, even as he maintains that selection matters are outside his domain.
“As far as the BCCI is concerned, we are not in a position to comment because it all depends on the selectors and the coaches. But from how I look at it, fitness and performance should be the criteria for selection, and definitely not age,” Manhas told Sportstar.
“If somebody is fit to play, and you see him performing and winning games for the country, that is the only criterion we should focus on,” he added.
Shubman Gill was appointed India’s captain in October last year, with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind. The tournament will be the 27-year-old’s first major international assignment as captain, and Manhas believes having experienced players around him will be an advantage.
“Having Virat, Hardik (Pandya) and Rohit in the side will definitely help him (Gill). Then there are the likes of (Jasprit) Bumrah, who could lead, who can be the bowling captains, and then somebody who will be the fielding captain. So, it is all about the distribution of workload,” Manhas said.
