Will Rohit and Virat Compete in the 2027 ODI World Cup?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired from Test cricket.
- Sunil Gavaskar doubts their participation in the 2027 World Cup.
- Fitness and form are critical for both players.
- Rohit has struggled with fitness issues in the IPL.
- Kohli is performing well but needs consistency in ODIs.
Mumbai, May 13 (NationPress) Senior Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have stepped back from Test cricket to extend their ODI careers, yet former India captain Sunil Gavaskar questions whether they will be active in the 2027 World Cup.
After leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, both Rohit and Virat have decided to focus exclusively on ODIs.
Rohit, renowned as one of the finest players in the 50-over format with three double centuries, and Kohli, who has amassed 51 centuries in ODIs, are both highly skilled in this arena.
Despite their achievements, Gavaskar does not foresee them participating in the 2027 World Cup. He emphasized that their future in the squad will depend on the selection committee's assessment of their contributions.
"They have been outstanding performers in this format. The selectors will likely consider if they can still contribute effectively. If they believe their performance will remain strong, they could be included," Gavaskar stated during an interaction with Sports Today.
However, Gavaskar expressed doubt about their current form, indicating that neither Rohit nor Kohli would make the squad at this moment. "Frankly, I don’t see them playing. But if they find a rich vein of form, even circumstances may not keep them out," he added.
Rohit faces challenges with his fitness, which has led to his being utilized as an impact substitute for most of the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. Meanwhile, Kohli, who is performing well in the IPL with 505 runs in 11 games, needs to maintain his form and fitness leading up to the 2027 World Cup, following a dip in performance since the 2023 World Cup in India.