Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s participation in the 2027 World Cup remains uncertain, despite being key in ODI cricket.
Rohit and Kohli called time on their Test careers last year. Having retired from T20Is in 2024, the seasoned campaigners are now exclusively focusing on the 50-over format.
By the time the marquee quadrennial event begins in 2027, Rohit will be 40 and Virat Kohli will turn 39. Hence, managing workload with fewer scheduled ODIs makes domestic appearances (such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy) a crucial metric for evaluating their fitness and match readiness.
Furthermore, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have not given a firm commitment, keeping the decision on their participation for the World Cup coy.
Amid the speculation and debate, former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra opined that Rohit and Kohli's experience could be crucial for India as they build towards the next World Cup in Africa.
For Chopra, the only expectation from Rohit and Kohli ahead of the upcoming West Indies ODI series is to keep scoring runs.
"The World Cup is just one year away now, and I know that if Rohit and Kohli get in, they'll score runs, win you matches, and possibly win you trophies. So, looking at it from this perspective, the only expectation from Rohit and Kohli is just this: keep scoring runs," Chopra told JioStar.
With the Asian Games in Japan running from September 24 to October 3, clashing directly with all three West Indies ODIs, the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah were unavailable for selection. This forced the selectors to consider alternatives.
The scheduling conflict paved the way for Punjab all-rounder Naman Dhir and Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi to earn their maiden ODI call-ups.
In Iyer’s absence, KL Rahul has been named the vice-captain. This vacancy also opened up a selection door for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the middle-order. Kishan’s unavailability created the window for Dhruv Jurel’s inclusion as a backup wicketkeeper-batter behind Rahul.
Chopra praised the selection committee for making smart adjustments under the constraint of overlapping player availabilities.
"With the available players, you try and make the most of what you have. The biggest change you notice is that KL Rahul has been made vice-captain in place of Shreyas Iyer because Shreyas Iyer will be at the Asian Games. There was certainly a question mark over Rishabh Pant, but I also liked Dhruv Jurel's selection. So, considering all of that, a very good team has been picked, and full marks to the Indian team selectors," he stated.
With Axar and Sundar unavailable due to their commitment to the Asian Games, veteran spin all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja regained his spot in the 50-over format.
To balance out remaining gaps -- particularly with senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya still recovering from injury -- the team management also pulled seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy out of the Asian Games contingent to reinforce the ODI squad.
Chopra reckons the all-rounder's position will be another area to watch closely as India continue to assess their options ahead of the quadrennial event.
"One big highlight, in my opinion, was pulling Nitish Kumar Reddy out of the Asian Games and playing him here. So, if Hardik Pandya isn't available someday, they really want somebody who can bowl pace and bat as well. Ravindra Jadeja will have to, of course, take wickets and score runs. Fielding has always been his strong suit. But from a World Cup point of view, you have Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, and not all of them will go to South Africa. So, someone will be left out, and therefore, every time you get an opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands," he remarked.
The India-West Indies ODI series will get underway in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, with the second match in Guwahati on September 30 and the third in New Chandigarh on October 3.
(With IANS Inputs)
