Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar believes that veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are certain to play in the ODI World Cup 2027, considering their current form in the one-day format. Both players have already retired from Tests and T20Is, which has led to questions about whether they will feature in the next ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa next year.
Sunil Gavaskar on Rohit and Virat ODI World Cup 2027 participation
In an exclusive chat with Sports Tak on Salam Cricket, Gavaskar expressed confidence that India will have the duo in their World Cup squad.
“Virat and Rohit will definitely play in the ODI World Cup 2027. They’ve been performing consistently, and even if the tournament is six months away, they will keep practising and stay connected to the game. Their experience is extremely valuable for the team,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
Rohit and Virat's performance in ODI series against New Zealand
During the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026, Virat Kohli was India’s standout performer, while Rohit Sharma struggled to find his rhythm. Kohli scored a total of 240 runs at an average of 80.00, beginning the series with a steady 93 in Vadodara and finishing with a brilliant 124 off 108 balls in the third ODI at Indore, which was his 54th ODI century. Despite Kohli’s heroics, India lost the series 2-1, as New Zealand claimed a historic victory.
Gautam Gambhir on Rohit and Virat ODI World Cup 2027 participation
However, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir is non-committal regarding the inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad. While Gambhir has not ruled them out, he consistently emphasises that their selection will depend entirely on fitness and continued performance.