Rohit Sharma has outlined his ambition to be part of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, saying his roadmap is built on staying in the present, maintaining peak fitness, and delivering consistently in every assignment that comes his way. The senior India opener spoke to JioStar on the sidelines of the ongoing India vs West Indies ODI series in New Delhi on 1 October 2026.

Rohit's Plan to Stay Relevant Until 2027

'What I want to manifest is that I keep myself capable enough until 2027, so I keep myself fit, keep working hard, and keep performing well in every tournament that comes up. This is what I need to think about, and this is what I need to do,' Rohit said. He was clear that projecting too far into the future would be counterproductive. 'Thinking about next October right now is not going to help me play my game. What will help me is to stay in the present, keep ticking every box that comes my way, and then keep moving forward,' he added.

Rohit stressed that his approach has not changed — the same step-by-step philosophy that has defined his career remains the guiding principle. 'I don't need to change anything. The way my journey has been so far, I want to keep driving it the same way. Keep working hard on my batting, keep working hard on my fitness, help the boys in the team, give input wherever it's needed, that's all,' he said.

A Vintage Century to Back Up the Words

Rohit's ambitions are backed by on-field evidence. He struck a vintage 101 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati as India successfully chased down a formidable 406 against West Indies. During that innings, he shared a 255-run opening partnership with captain Shubman Gill, who remained unbeaten on 223. With the third ODI scheduled at New Chandigarh on Saturday, another substantial contribution from Rohit is widely anticipated.

Rohit's Take on Shubman Gill's Captaincy

Rohit was measured but encouraging when assessing Gill's evolution as captain. 'Shubman Gill has a great cricketing brain, no doubt about that. He has been captaining for about a year now, so it is unfair to judge him as a captain so early. But from what I have seen, he has been impressive. He is very clear about what he wants. That is the most important thing a captain should have,' Rohit said.

He added that clarity at the top breeds clarity throughout the side. 'If the captain is clear, the players around him will also be clear. He knows what he wants and is moving in the right direction. I am sure that in whatever way I can help him, I will do that,' he said. Notably, Rohit emphasised that stepping back from the captaincy has not distanced him from Gill. 'Ever since he made his debut, we have been moving in the same direction. That is how it should be, and it should not change for any reason,' he added.

The World Cup Hunger — Fuelled by Past Glories

Rohit has won the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup as a 20-year-old and captained India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title — ending an 11-year ICC title drought that also included the 2013 Champions Trophy victory. That experience, he said, has only sharpened his desire. 'Winning a World Cup for India is a special feeling. I have experienced that twice in the T20 format. So I know what winning a World Cup feels like. That's why I want that feeling back,' he said.

He reflected on the significance of the 2024 triumph in particular. 'After we won the T20 World Cup in 2024, there was a realisation of how important it was. That feeling is still inside to a great extent. You can't match that. That's why winning that World Cup is very important to me, because I want to feel that feeling again,' he concluded.

With the third ODI in New Chandigarh on Saturday, all eyes will be on whether Rohit's present-focus philosophy continues to translate into match-winning performances on the road to 2027.