Rohit Sharma is reportedly not in India's plans for the 2027 World Cup and was informed that he will be replaced by Shubman Gill as the side's captain a long time before the squad for the Australia series was announced. A report in The Telegraph claimed that Rohit has already been told to either perform or perish by the selectors.
The report also stated that the BCCI feels both Rohit and Virat Kohli are 'on their last legs' and are likely to either retire or be phased out from ODIs within the coming months. Rohit will be 40 while Virat will be close to 38 by the time the World Cup arrives in 2027. It remains to be seen if the duo will be able to keep their place in the team by that time.
Abhishek reportedly in contention to replace Rohit
The report also claimed that selectors are highly impressed with the progress of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal and these batters are likely to be phased into India's ODI set-up soon. Moreover, Abhishek is considered as the player who can potentially replace Rohit as one of India's openers in one-day cricket.
“Abhishek has been amazing in the six-over Powerplay in T20s. Imagine if he gets 10 and survives through that phase! He can better Rohit and give the innings a head start," the report stated.
When will Rohit and Virat return to international cricket?
Meanwhile, both Rohit and Virat are set to make their much-awaited returns to international cricket in the upcoming three-match T20I series that is set to commence from October 19. The duo last donned the Indian jersey during the 20 225 ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand held in March. Though they were expected to play crucial roles in the Men in Blue's five-match Test series against England earlier this year, both of them announced their retirements from the format in May. Rohit and Virat will be hoping to impress on their ODI returns and thus the series against Australia will be highly important for both of them.
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India's squad for Australia ODIs: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.