Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two giants of the 50-over format, are reportedly not in the plans of the BCCI for the upcoming ICC World Cup in 2027. South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe will host the event and will feature 14 teams.

Kohli and Rohit, who retired from T20Is in 2024 after India’s T20 World Cup triumph, also called time on their Test careers in May this year, leaving them available in only the ODI format in international cricket. Rohit Sharma led India to the ICC Champions Trophy win in March, with Virat Kohli scoring a century against Pakistan and 84 in the semi-final against Australia.

Although none of them has formally stated their future plans, it appears that the 2027 World Cup is the pair's goal in the ODI format. Despite their success in the format, a report claims that Virat and Rohit will struggle to compete in the ODI World Cup in two years.

Neither Virat nor Rohit is certain of a place in India's 2027 ODI World Cup squad, according to a report in Dainik Jagran. In the upcoming years, they will also have less playing time because none of them are participating in T20Is or Test matches. As a result, the selection committee and the senior BCCI executives are deeply troubled by the situation.

The report further claimed that both Rohit and Kohli will need to participate in the domestic 50-over competition, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, that begins in December, to remain in contention for the ICC World Cup spots. Without Vijay Hazare Trophy participation, the doors are unlikely to open for them.

"Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma do not fit in our plans for the ODI World Cup 2027," the report quoted a source from the team management as saying.

According to the article, the two expressed a desire to participate in the England tour, but were told by the selectors that they would not likely be chosen. As a result, they made the decision to declare their departure from the format.  

India's next ODI match is against Australia in October and the report also stated that the series may mark the end of the legendary pair's international careers because a return to domestic cricket at this point looks extremely unlikely.

The selection committee's faith in India's Test captain, Shubman Gill, as a long-term captain has also been reinforced by his performance in the just-finished series in England.  Many believe Gill will eventually be India's all-format skipper. 

Given how many young players are making an impression on the squad, the selectors may choose to stick with new players for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The successful transition between T20Is and Tests is anticipated to continue in the one-day format.  As a result of the happenings, Rohit and Kohli are in a vulnerable position.

(Dainik Jagran report)