With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having retired from T20 and Test cricket, they are now only representing India in the ODI format. This raises a significant question: will these two legendary players remain part of the team for the next ODI World Cup in 2027?
ODI World Cup 2027: Will the two biggest stars of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, be part of the 2027 ODI World Cup? This question is currently a central topic of discussion in Indian cricket circles. Both legendary players have already retired from T20 and Test cricket and are now only active in the ODI format. However, considering their advancing age and the emerging performance of young players, the BCCI is seriously considering their future.
Both Players Could Be Over 40 by 2027
Currently, Virat Kohli is 36 and Rohit Sharma is 38 years old. If they play until the 2027 World Cup, they will be approximately 39 and 41 years old, respectively. At this age, aspects such as players' physical fitness, recovery time, and on-field agility become crucial. A BCCI official said in a media interaction:
'We still have two years until the World Cup 2027. But we need to make a clear plan from now for such a big competition. Virat and Rohit's contribution has been incredible, but we also need to prepare some young players in time.'
Young Brigade Emerged Under Shubman Gill's Captaincy
Since Kohli and Rohit have moved towards retirement from limited formats, a new young team under the captaincy of Shubman Gill has performed bly. In the recent series against England, Team India drew 2-2, and players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep made significant contributions.
This has indicated that Team India is now ready to bet on developing players. In such a situation, it will not be easy for Virat and Rohit to maintain their place in the team.
No Pressure Regarding ODI Retirement
However, the BCCI has clarified that Kohli and Rohit will not be forced to retire from ODIs. An official stated: These two legends have achieved a lot for India in limited-overs cricket. Therefore, we will not put any pressure on them to retire. But before the start of the World Cup cycle, we will assess their mental and physical condition.
Kohli and Rohit have not played any international matches since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. Both players will not participate in the next Champions Trophy to be held in the T20 format. The proposed Bangladesh ODI series in August has been postponed, preventing them from getting a chance to return. Now, India's next ODI series will be against Australia in October, followed by a three-match series against South Africa in November. If Kohli and Rohit get a chance in these two series, their performance will determine their future path.
India's Strategy for the 2027 World Cup
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be held in South Africa. The BCCI's intention is to prepare a young and fit team for this tournament, with players capable of fielding well, running well between the wickets, and having a long career. Therefore, in the next 12-18 months, the BCCI will conduct professional discussions with all the players to assess their mental and physical condition. These discussions will also be held with senior players like Kohli and Rohit in a very sensitive and respectful manner.
