As the cricketing world looks ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, a salient question has emerged: will legendary Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
be part of the squad?
Former India opener and selector Devang Gandhi has offered a pragmatic perspective, casting doubt on the ODI futures of the two veterans amid the rise of India's younger talents.
Gandhi argues that players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Sai Sudharsan have proven their adaptability and readiness across formats, making it increasingly difficult to justify keeping senior players when fresh faces have demonstrated their capability.
"How will you make players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, among others, sit out when they have shown how well they can adapt?" Gandhi told TOI.
He emphasized that transitioning from T20s to Tests is the bigger challenge and, once accomplished, ODIs become relatively easier for these youngsters. Gandhi also highlighted the importance of regular playing time to maintain form, urging selectors to evaluate honestly whether Kohli and Rohit can sustain peak performance over the next two years.
"If, say, in a year's time, we come to a situation where one of them is not firing and we need a replacement, the team management may not have enough time to prepare a player for the job," he remarked.
The question of captaincy hangs in the balance as well, with Shubman Gill emerging as a natural leader and India's most in-form ODI batsman, averaging 59.04 at a strike rate close to 100.
"There's absolutely no doubt about the contribution of Rohit and Virat. But time doesn't wait for anybody," he concluded.
Having retired from T20 internationals in 2024 and stepped away from Tests in 2025, both Rohit and Kohli have signaled a focus on the ODI format for what might be their final stretch. If they intend to extend their careers beyond the upcoming October series, participation in domestic competitions such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy and 'A' team tours will be essential to maintain match readiness. However, it remains uncertain whether these seasoned campaigners are willing to endure the rigors of domestic one-day cricket again.
