Kohli and Rohit Eye 2027 ODI World Cup Amid Gambhir’s Focus

India’s star cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma aim to participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup, but head coach Gautam Gambhir stresses the need to concentrate on the present, especially with a new captain leading the team.

The national selectors have initiated a transition phase in the 50-over format with Shubman Gill‘s appointment as ODI captain. This change raises questions about the long-term roles of Kohli and Rohit, both of whom will be 39 and 40 years old, respectively, by the time the World Cup arrives.

Gautam Gambhir commented, “The 50-over World Cup is still two and a half years away. It is crucial to stay in the present. Obviously, they are quality players. Their experience will be valuable in Australia. Hopefully, both can have a successful tour, and more importantly, we can have a successful series as a team.”

Sources indicate that whether Kohli and Rohit make it to the World Cup squad will largely depend on their performance in the upcoming nine ODIs, which include three matches against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand over the next few months.

As Gambhir completes his first full year as head coach, he has overseen a shift across all formats, prioritizing the discovery of new talent and ensuring a stable selection process. He stated, “First and foremost, you look at talent. Then the work ethic. You look at the character in that dressing room—especially in red-ball cricket. You also see how hungry they are. If a player has all these attributes, he will have a successful Test career.”

Gambhir pointed out the competitive nature of international cricket, describing it as an “insecure environment” due to the limited available spots. He added, “It’s important to give players a longer run. Only 15 can represent the country at one time, but many are waiting for their turn. So, if you pick the right characters, give them time to prove themselves rather than chopping and changing.”

On the emotional aspect of player selection, Gambhir expressed his disdain for the term ‘dropping players’, explaining, “You don’t drop players, you only select players. When someone misses out, the least a coach can do is be empathetic, not ruthless.”

Gambhir praised the team’s dedication and discipline during the recent England tour, stating, “The Test squad that went to England was superb in terms of discipline and hard work. For me, that was a huge tick.”