Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have already announced their retirement from T20Is and Tests.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli called time on their Test career in the span of five days in May this year, leaving a big void in the Indian team ahead of the ongoing England tour that marked the beginning of the new WTC cycle.
Having retired from T20Is last year, both batting stalwarts will now focus solely on the One-Day International format. However, their participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup remains a mystery.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, former spinner Harbhajan Singh raised concerns about the legendary duo’s chances of featuring in the 2027 World Cup. He argued that stepping away from two formats could limit their match practice and impact their performance as the game progresses.
"It's too far, actually. It's been a very long time, and they are not playing any other formats. It becomes very difficult for anyone, no matter how much commitment you have or how big a great you are. If you do not play the game continuously, somewhere the game moves ahead and you are left behind," Harbhajan said.
Harbhajan also cited the example of MS Dhoni to back his claim. "It will be hard. We have seen MS Dhoni playing in the IPL. Look at his performance in the last three years. You see the difference between this Dhoni and the Dhoni from six years ago when he was playing for India consistently,” he added.
Rohit and Kohli played a key role in India’s Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year. Their performance was brilliant in the 2023 ODI World Cup at home, where India reached the final without losing a match.
The iconic pair will next play for India’s ODI team in a three-match series in Australia, starting October 19, 2025.