Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has said the singular expectation from batting veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies is straightforward — keep scoring runs. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa now less than a year away, Chopra believes the two seniors hold the key to India's title ambitions.

Chopra's Take on the Seniors

Speaking ahead of the three-match home series, Chopra underlined the match-winning value of having both Rohit and Kohli at their best as India build their World Cup squad. 'The World Cup is just one year away now, and I know that if Rohit and Kohli get in, they'll score runs, win you matches, and possibly win you trophies. So, looking at it from this perspective, the only expectation from Rohit and Kohli is just this: keep scoring runs,' Chopra said in an interview to Jio Star.

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been named in India's 15-member ODI squad for the series. Shubman Gill will lead the side, while KL Rahul has been appointed vice-captain, stepping in for Shreyas Iyer, who is part of India's Asian Games campaign.

Squad Composition and Key Changes

Chopra also backed the overall squad selection, welcoming the inclusion of Dhruv Jurel as a second wicket-keeper option. 'With the available players, you try and make the most of what you have. The biggest change you notice is that KL Rahul has been made vice-captain in place of Shreyas Iyer because Shreyas Iyer will be at the Asian Games. There was certainly a question mark over Rishabh Pant, but I also liked Dhruv Jurel's selection. So, considering all of that, a very good team has been picked, and full marks to the Indian team selectors,' he said.

Ravindra Jadeja has returned to the ODI setup, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has been called into the squad after being withdrawn from India's Asian Games contingent.

The All-Rounder Battle for South Africa

Chopra highlighted the competition among India's all-rounders as a subplot to watch closely in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup. He noted that pulling Reddy out of the Asian Games signalled the team management's desire for a pace-bowling all-rounder who could cover for Hardik Pandya if unavailable.

'One big highlight, in my opinion, was pulling Nitish Kumar Reddy out of the Asian Games and playing him here. So, if Hardik Pandya isn't available someday, they really want somebody who can bowl pace and bat as well. Ravindra Jadeja will have to, of course, take wickets and score runs. Fielding has always been his strong suit. But from a World Cup point of view, you have Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, and not all of them will go to South Africa. So, someone will be left out, and therefore, every time you get an opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands,' Chopra said.

Series Schedule

The three-match ODI series opens in Thiruvananthapuram on 27 September, with the second fixture in Guwahati on 30 September and the decider in Chandigarh on 3 October. With World Cup spots effectively up for grabs, every match carries added significance for the fringe contenders in the squad.