Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that, be it Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli or any other cricketer, if they are performing and fit enough to retain their place, they should be selected. This statement seems to hold true, as experience is something that often matters in world-class tournaments.
India’s chances of winning the upcoming World Cup in 2027 will get a boost only if their two stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are part of the fixtures. Keeping their form intact, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserve a place in the playing eleven; However, there is no assurance yet from the Indian selectors and head coach.
Gautam has done a very good job with the team- Harbhajan Singh
Boria Majumdar asked former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh for his opinion on Gautam Gambhir as the white ball coach of the Indian team. Gambhir’s former teammate praised him highly and supported his coaching style.
“Gautam, I think he has done a great job with the team. No matter what people say, there have been a lot of changes and adjustments, but yes, everyone has their own style of working.”
“He has a very sharp mind; he understands the game very well. He was the captain here (at Kolkata Knight Riders); he made this team very successful. I think when he took over as the Indian head coach, in the public eye everyone had some opinions, but you just need to close your ears and focus on your goal and do what you have to do,” he said.
After this he supported Gambhir and said that in whatever role he has seen Gambhir, he is a hardworking person. He also credited him for making India an unbeatable team in ICC events.
“Gautam was a hard-working player and his hard work as a coach has developed a culture within the team. Today, Team India looks like a team with a champion mentality, and the results are visible. The dressing room conversation is very important for this.”
If they are performing and fit then they should be selected, Harbhajan Singh
The second question after this was about his view on the chances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup in 2027. He replied that a player should be selected as long as he is performing.
“I think as long as a player is performing and is fit to play, I think you should pick them based on their performance and not just their age. I think age is just a number, you know, but what he has is not what many people have. If they are playing well, India should pick them immediately,” Harbhajan Singh said.
The great Indian spinner also said that Kohli has been in peak form since the South Africa series and Rohit Sharma has done a lot of work to regain his fitness citing the World Cup in 2027.
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“Gautam was a hard-working player and his hard work as a coach has developed a champion mentality in the current team and the results are visible” – @harbhajan_singh But… pic.twitter.com/PoazaGxaFM
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 21 March 2026
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will lead the Indian squad for the 2027 World Cup
Indian opener Rohit Sharma is no longer the captain of the Indian team, and hence, his chances of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup depend on whether he continues to perform for them with the bat and is fit enough to take the field.
Same is the case with Indian legend Virat Kohli; However, it is understandable that India cannot play without its two stalwarts in South Africa. The tracks are bouncy and fast, and often offer a lot to the bowlers; Therefore, preference is given to experienced batsmen on such tracks.
Both the cricketers are also eyeing revenge for the defeat in the last World Cup in 2023. Rohit has won all but one ODI World Cup in his career, while Virat Kohli has everything, but he would definitely like to make his farewell World Cup memorable.
Also read: Brendon McCullum will remain the head coach of England
