Former South Africa cricketer Daryll Cullinan expects India's senior duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play more cricket if they want to remain in contention of the ODI World Cup 2027. Cullinan doesn't doubt the ability of the two Indian batters but wants them to play domestic cricket for the next two years.
"Well, I think from an ability and experience point of view, they could play, I don't think there's any doubt in that, but they'd have to be on the ground of international cricket. If I were the coach or convener of selectors, because no matter how good you are, thinking that you can just play a few games or select a few games, not put in the hours and then step in and think you're going to perform, no, that doesn't work that way,” Cullinan told Hindustan Times.
"So it's a bit of a catch-22, I'm not saying they need to be on the circuit all the time, but they need to have played a serious amount of cricket, especially going into the World Cup, so they're in the right physical, mental frame of mind, the grind of international cricket, being fit, then I would say yes, but anything less than that I'd say no, India move on, because that certainly doesn't work, and that's in my view. They need to be playing quality cricket for the next two years! Far more cricket than less cricket”.
Rohit and Kohli retired from T20Is after India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in Barbados over South Africa. Earlier this year, they announced their retirement from Test cricket as well. Their last international cricket appearance was in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final where they beat New Zealand. Since then, they have only played the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Now, they are set for the three-ODI series in Australia next month.
Gill as ODI captain instead of Rohit?
Cullinan also wants Shubman Gill to lead India in ODIs as well whether Rohit is in playing XI or not.
"Yes, Gill for captaincy, irrespective of whether Rohit is playing," Cullinan said.
Rohit has had a good captaincy record. From 56 ODIs as captain, India have won 42, lost 12, one ended in a tie whereas one ended in no result. While Gill is leading India in Tests and has captained in T20Is as well, he is yet to captain in ODIs.