The BCCI selectors and the team management have remained non-committal on Rohit and Kohli's ODI futures.
Rohit and Kohli called time on their Test careers within a gap of five days in May last year. Having retired from T20Is in 2024, the seasoned campaigners are now only playing the ODI format.
However, with fewer ODIs being scheduled these days, questions remain over the ageing duo's participation in the next year’s quadrennial event.
Amid the ongoing series in England, reports emerged claiming the selectors have specifically told Rohit that he doesn’t feature in their plans for the World Cup. Speculations are also rife that Kohli could be phased out before the marquee tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, former cricketer Mohammed Kaif has strongly backed Rohit and Kohli to play in the 2027 World Cup, arguing that India need their experience on bouncy pitches.
Kaif noted that experienced players provide crucial support and direction even when not starring on the scoreboard, similar to Lionel Messi for Argentina in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
"The 2027 phase will be very important. People are talking about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma because it won't be an easy World Cup. The conditions will be different, there will be bouncy pitches, and India will need both these players there. We would definitely want them to play as many matches as possible from now on and remain in good form," Kaif said.
"Lionel Messi is 39 years old and his team has reached the FIFA World Cup final. He didn't score in the semifinal but provided an assist. That's what experience brings. When you have younger players who can finish the job, experienced players know how to guide them and create opportunities, So just like Messi is for Argentina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is for India in World Cup" he added.
Kaif further cited that the worth of experience remains the same across sports. "Whether it's football or cricket, experience plays a huge role. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are considered among the greatest ODI players, so India will 100 percent need them, especially under captain Shubman Gill in South African conditions," he remarked.
Rohit Sharma has looked a pale shadow of himself in the ongoing England series, returning with scores of 11 (21 balls) and 26 (47 balls) in two outings. On the other hand, Virat Kohli bounced back with a fluent knock of 65 in the second ODI after scoring only 5 in the series opener.
The series-deciding third ODI will be played at Lord’s on Sunday (July 19).