Rohit Sharma, India
By the time the 2027 World Cup rolls around, Rohit Sharma will be 40. While his desire to win the 50-over trophy is clear, age is an undeniable factor in a sport that demands peak physical fitness. He has already retired from Test and T20I cricket to focus
on the one-day format, a clear indication of his priorities. However, there has been speculation about whether the team management sees him in their long-term plans. Sharma himself has dismissed retirement talk, stating his focus remains on representing India. A spectacular showing in the recent England series, where he scored a century at Lord's, proved he still has the hunger and skill, but 2027 feels like a natural and fitting endpoint for the 'Hitman's' illustrious international career.
Virat Kohli, India
Arguably the greatest all-format batter of his generation, Virat Kohli’s incredible fitness could see him play on for years. However, he will be 38 during the 2027 tournament, and after two decades of high-pressure international cricket, a swansong on the biggest stage seems a fitting conclusion. He has already stepped away from T20I and Test formats, signaling a winding down of his international duties. Though he has expressed a desire to continue playing as long as his body allows, the 2027 World Cup would be a logical final bow, allowing him to pass the torch to the next generation of Indian batters. His focus appears to be on enjoying the remainder of his career without the immense pressure of captaincy, and a final World Cup campaign would be the perfect send-off.
Kane Williamson, New Zealand
New Zealand's calm and collected leader, Kane Williamson, will be 37 in 2027. While his class with the bat is permanent, his career in recent years has been hampered by persistent injuries. He has already shifted to a more flexible 'casual' contract with New Zealand Cricket to manage his workload, balancing international commitments with family life. Williamson has admitted the 2027 World Cup is on his mind as a long-term goal, but he is taking a more measured, year-by-year approach to his future. For a player who has given so much to New Zealand cricket, leading them to finals and earning global respect, a last World Cup campaign in Africa would be a poignant end to a stellar ODI career.
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh
Bangladesh's greatest-ever cricketer, Shakib Al Hasan, will be 40 when the tournament begins. For years, he has been the team's beating heart, a world-class all-rounder who has carried the hopes of a nation. His retirement plans have been a topic of discussion for some time, with Shakib himself indicating a desire to end his career on his own terms. While political and security issues have complicated his recent availability for the national team, he remains active in T20 leagues and hopes for a final farewell series in Bangladesh. Having previously suggested he might continue until 2027 if Bangladesh didn't win the 2023 World Cup, this tournament could be the final chapter for the iconic all-rounder.
Joe Root, England
Joe Root, England's run-scoring machine in Test cricket, will be approaching 37 in late 2027. Though he remains a vital part of England's ODI setup, he has already retired from T20Is to prolong his career in the longer formats. After a period where his 50-over career seemed to be winding down post-2023, he made a stunning return in 2025, finishing the year as the top run-scorer in the format and becoming England's all-time leading ODI run-scorer. This resurgence proves his class is undiminished. However, given his importance to the Test side and the physical demands of playing at the highest level, the 2027 World Cup seems like a logical final major tournament for him in coloured clothing, allowing him to focus exclusively on his record-breaking Test career.
