BCCI receives strong backlash over Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli plans for ODI World Cup 2027
For a long time, people have regarded Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the two greatest players of the game. The duo has been playing together for over 15 years. Together, they have won many memorable bilateral and tri-nation series and tournaments across all three formats, including the T20 World Cup, and have won the ICC Champions Trophy twice. However, the duo still has not won the ODI World Cup title to date.
They both represented Team India in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 World Cups, but the dream of winning the ODI World Cup remains unfulfilled. Virat was still part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, but Rohit has yet to win that title. Now, Rohit and Virat have become senior members of the team and have already retired from T20Is and Tests, but they continue to play the ODI format solely to achieve ODI World Cup glory.
However, the next ODI World Cup is still two years away, scheduled to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October-November 2027. Based on the multiple press conferences, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have repeatedly stated that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not guaranteed spots for the 2027 World Cup. They will need to perform throughout the tournament, and their selection will depend on their performance. Although Gambhir and Agarkar acknowledged that their places are not assured, it is clear that they both want to compete in the World Cup.
Recently, they both performed well in the 3-match ODI series against Australia and South Africa, respectively. Rohit Sharma scored 202 runs, including a century and a half-century during the Australia tour, while his cricket score against South Africa is 146, including 2 half-centuries. At the same time, Virat Kohli amassed 74 runs during the Australia tour, including 2 ducks. However, he made a significant comeback following that, finishing the South Africa series with 302 runs, including 2 centuries and a half-century.
However, former BCCI selector Devang Gandhi believes that Kohli and Rohit should be the core of the 2027 World Cup squad, and the rest of the team should be built around them. It's still early to confirm any player's place in the 2027 World Cup squad, but Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and, to a lesser extent, KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill are certain to be part of it. Beyond these players, no other Indian batter has assured a spot in the XI.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored their maiden ODI centuries against South Africa in the ODI series last week, but they are not yet permanent members of the team. At the same time, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is still waiting for his chance in the playing XI. Shreyas Iyer’s injury remains ongoing, and everyone is awaiting his return. Gandhi advocates for a clearer roadmap, warning that otherwise, the consequences could be dire.
The Indian team faced a recurring challenge in the number four position in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 World Cup editions. In 2015, Ajinkya Rahane batted at number 4. At the 2019 World Cup, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, and Vijay Shankar occupied that spot; in 2023, Shreyas Iyer played there. India also struggled to find a fast-bowling all-rounder who can bat lower down the order. After Hardik Pandya was injured during the 2023 World Cup, the management chose Suryakumar Yadav, who has not a good track record in the ODI format.
“As long as Kohli and Rohit are around, the planning has to revolve around them. The management must stick to a pool of not more than 20 players now. Leading up to the 2019 World Cup, no one was given enough chances to settle down at No. 4. When the top order imploded in the semifinal, no one was ready. The same happened in the 2023 World Cup, when the team management was forced to play Suryakumar Yadav, who didn’t have a good ODI record,” Gandhi said.
