Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are arguably the best batters of the generation and hence there was a lot of debate around the time they announced their Test retirements just ahead of the England tour. While their retirements happened under suspicious circumstances – it was understood that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are eyeing the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – the two Indian stalwarts – have already bid adieu to Tests and T20Is with the hope that they can prolong their ODI careers. At this stage of their careers – Virat Kohli is 36 and Rohit, 38 – the 50-overs format is the best suited for them.
As fans eagerly await the upcoming ODI series against Australia, the focus will be on the returns of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who last played for India during the Champions Trophy in March 2025. Both Rohit and Kohli have retired from T20Is and Test cricket, while their ODI future also remains in the air. Indian cricket runs on narratives, and right now it is whether Rohit, 38, and Kohli, 36, will continue playing till the 2027 ODI World Cup
Having endured the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup up close and personal, Virat Kohli and Rohit, who are yet to win the 50-overs World Cup together, are eager to chase the ultimate glory in the 2027 World Cup, which can cap off a perfect, story-book ending for the two superstar batters.
Until a couple of days ago, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli looked certain to maintain their place in the ODI setup. However, according to a report in Dainik Jagran, the murmurs about their future have already gained steam. It stated that the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia in October might be Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s swansongs in Indian cricket.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s stellar career in white ball cricket
In 273 ODIs, Rohit has scored 11,168 runs at an average of 48.76, including 32 centuries and 58 fifties. He also holds the unique record of scoring three double centuries in the format. Earlier this month, Rohit was present at The Oval to witness the fifth and final Test against England, which India won by six runs to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.
Rohit amassed 4,301 runs from 67 Tests at an average of 40.57, including hitting 12 centuries and 18 fifties. Rohit also led India in 24 Tests, winning 12 and losing nine games.
Rohit averaged a wonderful 42.81 in 66 innings as an opener in Tests, including hitting nine centuries and eight fifties. He also oversaw India becoming runners-up in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final after losing to Australia at The Oval. On the other hand Virat Kohli the GOAT in ODI Cricket has amassed 14181 runs at an average of 57.88 with 51 ODI centuries in 302 matches.
BCCI demand’s Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play Vijay Hazare Trophy to prove their relevance in white ball format
Virat Kohli last played a Vijay Hazare Trophy match for Delhi in February 2010 against Services. In that match against Gurgaon, he scored 16 runs while batting at number 5. Rohit Sharma’s last VHT game was much more recent than Virat Kohli’s – in 2018, when he scored 24 in the semi-final against Hyderabad for Mumbai.
The BCCI’s VHT demand could stem from its reprioritisation of domestic cricket. Earlier this year, after India’s 1-3 defeat against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI made it mandatory for all centrally-contracted players to be available for their states for domestic cricket in order to be available for national selection.
The Jagran report stated that the BCCI is focused on grooming young talent for the upcoming marquee 50-over tournament, with preparations already in full swing. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli indeed turn up, it’ll be nothing new. In January 2025, both players represented their state teams in the Ranji Trophy, following a BCCI mandate. The 10-point directive urged all players to return to domestic red-ball cricket to regain form.
Now, the BCCI is reportedly considering asking Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. But is this expectation realistic? What value would their participation in the 50-over competition bring, and how much game time could they gain?. Ahead of this murmurs,  Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan reflected on the debate, saying that the biggest challenge would be to get regular playing time. He suggested that if the two can sustain that long, there’s no reason why they can’t play in the World Cup.
” Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI WC 2027 participation will be dependent on their fitness” reckons Irfan Pathan
The debate over whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will feature in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup is intensifying. With both legends stepping away from Test cricket and T20 internationals, the upcoming ODI assignments and the Indian Premier League (IPL) are set to define their careers. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has now weighed in, offering sharp insights into the road ahead for India’s batting stalwarts.
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has said that for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the only challenge would be to play regular cricket ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, given that the duo have retired from T20Is and Tests, with only the two-month-long IPL and the occasional ODIs remaining for them. The upcoming three ODIs against Australia in October carry massive significance, as they could well shape the future course of Indian cricket. Right now, the answer to Rohit and Kohli’s future remains unclear, maybe even the duo does not know it yet.
“For Kohli and Rohit, the only challenge would be to play regular cricket. Otherwise, they are all outstanding. Talking about these professional cricketers, whose only focus is to play cricket for now, the biggest challenge for them would be playing regularly and staying fit,” Irfan said while speaking to RevSportz.Â
The former T20 World Cup winner stressed that the diminishing importance of ODIs in the cricketing calendar makes it even harder for senior players to stay sharp for marquee tournaments like the World Cup. With fewer bilateral ODI series being played, building momentum becomes crucial.
“Virat is going to play IPL only and then whenever there is First-Class cricket, but just to play and not to prove anything. So, continuing the game time will not be an easy task,” Irfan added.Â
While Kohli’s commitment is unquestionable, Rohit Sharma’s case adds another layer to the debate. Rohit, who will turn 40 by the time of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, has already spoken to Pathan about his fitness goals.
“Whereas Rohit Sharma, I have spoken to him and he is very keen about fitness. Then, Virat, I am sure, is very keen as well with the way he has been seen practising in England,” Irfan Pathan said.Â
Kohli has been grinding in the indoor nets at Lord’s, while Rohit, fresh from a holiday, has begun training under ex-India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. With Gautam Gambhir as head coach and Ajit Agarkar as chief selector, clarity of communication will be critical. Pathan emphasised the need for transparency in decision-making, particularly with icons like Kohli and Rohit.
“I really think that should be the case and I hope that the communication has been very clear. Knowing Gautam (Gambhir) and Ajit (Agarkar), I think they have made it very clear in terms of communication,” Irfan Pathan said.Â
“And as I said, having game time regularly will keep away all sorts of challenges. If you are talking about 2027, that challenge will be there because they are not playing for India currently,” Irfan Pathan added.Â
India are scheduled to play at least 27 ODIs between now and the 2027 World Cup, which could provide ample opportunities for both seniors to prove their readiness. However, any prolonged absence or loss of form could break the continuity required to compete at the highest level. By the time of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kohli will be 39 and Rohit 40. Age, however, may not be the biggest hurdle — instead, it’s the lack of consistent international cricket. The IPL offers match sharpness, but it may not fully replicate the rhythm of 50-over cricket.
Still, with their unmatched records, elite fitness routines, and mental fortitude, writing off Kohli and Rohit would be premature. If they can remain engaged with ODI cricket, avoid long breaks, and maintain form, there’s every chance the Indian team management will want them in South Africa in 2027.
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