Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Play 2027 ODI World Cup?

Rohit Sharma’s future in ODI cricket continues to generate buzz after the Indian captain called his time in T20Is and Tests. Rohit, who had already retired from T20Is earlier, recently announced his retirement from Test cricket. It came as a huge shock as Rohit was India's designated captain in the fromat. However, his form was on the decline in red-ball cricket.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli is on a similar path as well, although his fitness levels are in his favor. Just like Rohit, Kohli had also retired from T20Is after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024. A few days after Sharma retired from Tests, Kohli also announced that he will step down from red-ball cricket. With both of them calling time in two international formats, their participation in the upcoming ODI World Cup remains uncertain.

Will Rohit Sharma Play 2027 ODI World Cup

Soon after leading India to a triumphant win in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Rohit Sharma recently announced his Test retirement as well. However, Rohit has confirmed that he is not retiring from the ODIs yet. While Rohit hasn’t ruled out a potential appearance in the 2027 ODI World Cup, he’s being cautious.

Speaking in March 2025, the 37-year-old gave his opinion on playing till the 2027 ODI World Cup. “It's very hard to say that right now... I'm keeping all my options open. I want to see how well I'm playing. Right now, I'm playing really, really well... I can't really say 2027, because it's too far, but I'm keeping all my options open,” Rohit said. If he does make it to the next edition of the World Cup, Rohit will be 40, which will be a factor that adds to the uncertainty surrounding his participation.

Rohit has achieved almost everything in his career so far except the ODI World Cup. He has won two T20 World Cups and two Champions Trophy titles, but is yet to win the 50-over World Cup. He reached closer to achieving this feat in 2023, but India suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the summit clash.

Will Virat Kohli Play 2027 ODI World Cup?

Virat Kohli made a shocking decision to retire from Tests recently, a few days after Rohit's retirement from the format. Kohli too hadn't been in the best form in red-ball cricket but is yet focused on winning the 2027 World Cup for India. He is probably the greatest ODI player to have played the game and recently showed his rich vein of form in the Champions Trophy as well.

The 36-year-old has scored more than 14000 runs in ODIs at an average of close to 60, which makes him the GOAT in ODI cricket. His ability to play the game suits perfectly for ODIs and his experience will be vital for India in the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, it remains to be seen whether Kohli maintains his standards till that point.

Both Rohit and Virat have their eyes set on the 2027 ODI World Cup, which seems to be their only goal for now. There is no doubt that the ODI format is the favorite for both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, which has given them a ray of hope to survive in international cricket.

Sunil Gavaskar on Rohit-Kohli Retirement

Adding fuel to the ongoing debate, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar recently expressed doubts over both stalwarts featuring in the 2027 World Cup. In a candid statement, Gavaskar said, “No, I don't think they will be playing. I am being very honest. But, who knows, in the next year or so, if they strike a rich vein of form, and if they keep scoring hundreds and hundreds, even God can't drop them.”

Gavaskar acknowledged the duo’s immense contribution to Indian cricket but emphasized that selection will ultimately hinge on performance and fitness. The little master noted that the final call will lie with the selectors, who will evaluate whether Rohit and Kohli can still deliver at the highest level in 2027.

Indian cricket is going through a transitional phase as veteran cricketers continue to retire. With stalwarts like Rohit and Kohli nearing the end of their illustrious careers, the focus is shifting to a new generation of talent. Rohit Sharma himself has expressed confidence in the future, noting that Indian cricket is in “safe hands”. The Indian ODI captain has reaffirmed his faith in the youngsters. After winning India’s third Champions Trophy, he reiterated that the rising stars are demonstrating the hunger, passion, and skill needed to succeed at the highest level.

The Selectors and the team management face the challenge of managing this transition smoothly. With only about 20-22 ODIs scheduled before the 2027 World Cup, giving sufficient opportunities to emerging players is critical. A phased transition is seen as essential, rather than waiting until the last moment to replace legends like Rohit and Kohli.