Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu believes that current ODI captain Rohit Sharma should lead the Men in Blue in the upcoming edition of the ODI World Cup 2027, which will take place in South Africa. After his sudden Test retirement before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, there are rumours that Rohit will also leave ODIs before the World Cup and Shubman Gill will be announced as his successor to lead India in the mega event.
However, Rayudu, who is a six-time IPL winner, said that Rohit should captain India in the upcoming edition of the ODI World Cup because no one can explain him in the One Day format and the confidence he gave to players by leading from the front is extremely important.
"You need to look at who can win you the World Cup. If Rohit’s captaincy can do that, then he should continue till 2027. There is no one who can replace Rohit in ODIs, his captaincy, his batting & the confidence he gives to players are all extremely important - Rohit must be the captain in the 2027 World Cup," said Rayudu in Shubhankar Mishra's YouTube channel.
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Rohit Sharma-led India dominated in the last edition of the World Cup by maintaining the unbeaten winning streak till the final. However, their dreamy campaign ended after Australia defeated them in the final of the mega event at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Soon after that, Rohit-led unbeaten India won the T20 World Cup 2024 final, defeating South Africa in the final in Barbados. After India's T20 World Cup win, Rohit hung up his boots from the shortest format of the game.
Rohit's last ICC outing came in February 2025 during the Champions Trophy, when unbeaten Team India defeated New Zealand in the final to win another title. Since Rohit has already announced his T20I and ODI retirement, he will now be seen leading India in the ODIs. His upcoming assignment will be the upcoming three ODI series against Australia, which will start from October 19.