'Are there bigger, better players than Rohit & Virat?': Harbhajan Singh gives reality check to BCCI amid speculations around duo's participation in ODI World Cup 2027

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh gives a reality check to BCCI's think tank amid the speculations around Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's participation in the ODI World Cup 2027. The speculations around Rohit and Virat's participation for the mega event started when the BCCI appointed Shubman Gill as ODI captain, and the head coach Gautam Gambhir said that the management is non-committal on the duo's participation in the World Cup, which will take place in South Africa.

Harbhajan Singh's blunt message to BCCI think tank

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Harbhajan, who was a part of India's ODI World Cup 2011 winning team, bluntly asked the Indian management whether they have bigger and better players than Rohit and Virat. He further advised that there is no Cricket World Cup scenario in which India benefits from ignoring players who have already proven their ability to deliver on the biggest stage

“Are there bigger and better players than Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?” He argued there is no Cricket World Cup scenario in which India benefits from ignoring players who have already proven their ability to deliver on the biggest stage," said Harbhajan Singh on his YouTube channel.

“You shouldn't sideline them but instead think about how to build the team around them,” he stressed. “If you lose experience in the pursuit of youth, then it can be a problem in big matches. So they must play, and this will be a big World Cup because after that, it's possible they'll never play another World Cup.”

Harbhajan Singh's advice to the BCCI management

Harbhajan further explained that the batting duo remain at the peak of their performance and will maintain the fitness needed to compete at the highest level in 2027. He warned against the trend of prematurely moving on to younger players without respecting match-winning legacy.

“It’s okay to look towards the younger players, but don’t ignore the players who are already proven performers with the ability to deliver in big matches,” he said. “The batting order looks so solid with them.”

Harbhajan explained why Rohit and Virat should be first ones to be named in the 2023 World Cup squad

Recalling India's defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, Harbhajan said that Rohit and Virat should be the first two names pencilled into the squad for the next edition.

“The way India played under Rohit Sharma was unbelievable,” Harbhajan said. “So the first two names should be Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and the rest of the team should be formed after that.”

He concluded with a powerful sentiment that echoed his core message: “Whether India win the World Cup or not in 2027 is a different story. But at least there won’t be the regret that they didn’t play their best players. If their fitness is intact, they should be ready. These two are your best players… they should always play.”