Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are two legendary players of the Indian national cricket team. The RO-KO pair has won many matches for the Men in Blue in the T20 format and also in the ODI format. The iconic pair has also retired from the T20I format and the Test format. He plays only ODI format for the national team.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are currently participating in the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 for Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) respectively. However, the question right now is whether both the cricketers will be present in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Is the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma looking bleak?
There is a lot of speculation about the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. RO-KO’s recent performances in the ODI series should ensure that the two mainstays of the games are assured debuts in the 2027 ODI World Cup; But, it is unknown whether the pair will travel to Africa for the final dance and play their final World Cup.
But both head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are keeping quiet and cautious, as no official statement has been made on their participation in the World Cup next year. Ahead of the ODI World Cup, former World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh has dropped his comment on whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should play in the ODI World Cup or not.
Yuvraj Singh wants Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play the next World Cup
Yuvraj Singh said that the pair has the potential to play in the next edition of the tournament. However, he expressed sympathy for Gambhir and Agarkar, saying that they should also ensure that the young cricketers get enough games if Kohli and Rohit falter at the last minute.
Giving the example of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuvraj said that the left-handed batsman scored a century in his last ODI for the Men in Blue, yet he is still sitting on the bench. Yuvi said, “It is very important to give clarity to the players who are at the last stage of their career. The captain, coach and selectors should sit with the players and tell them how they are seeing things.”
Yuvraj told Sports Tak, “The conversation may not have been good, but at least you tried your best. Look at Yashasvi Jaiswal; he scored a century in his last ODI, but he is sitting out. When will you prepare Jaiswal? You have the World Cup next year.”
“If you are going to the World Cup, you should have played many matches. I am not saying that you should leave anyone out. But if you are playing the 2027 ODI World Cup, you should start preparing your team from now on. You have to give them many matches. Take decisions, it should not happen at the last moment that one of your senior players gets injured and there is no young player.”
It should not happen that your second line is not ready – Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh also said that Gambhir and Agarkar should sit with Rohit and Kohli and have a frank and open discussion with them, telling them about the plans of the team management so that there is no dispute and no one is kept in the dark.
Yuvraj said, “Virat Kohli has had a great series. Rohit has been performing well consistently. If such a situation arises in the next 1.5 years, it should not be that your second row is not ready. ODI cricket is not played that much now. Whoever you want to play, make sure you give them enough time.”
“Senior players are important. I don’t know what is going on in the minds of Rohit and Virat. It seems they are thinking about the World Cup. But I think they and the selectors will have to take that decision.”
He said, “There has to be clarity. You have to be able to sit in a room and discuss things. It’s tough. If someone tells you they are looking forward, you may not be able to accept it, but after a year, you will appreciate that someone gave you clarity.”
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