Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin casually dropped Indian captain Shubman Gill from the 2027 World Cup squad, and asked Virat Kohli to open the batting with former skipper Rohit Sharma.
After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from the longest format of international cricket, the coaches did not give them the freedom to play in ODIs without performing. Rohit Sharma was also removed from the captaincy, as India aimed to move towards a new dawn with new captain Shubman Gill.
However, the two legends of Indian cricket have once again proved why they are the greats of modern times in the 50-over format. Rohit got off to a great start against Australia and then continued his form against South Africa, while Kohli is in the twilight of his career.
Ravichandran Ashwin wants Virat Kohli to open with Rohit Sharma in 2027 World Cup
Focusing on playing only ODI cricket for India, Rohit Sharma worked hard to get his form back and scored against Australia and South Africa, but missed out against the Kiwis. Kohli, on the other hand, was unbeaten by the Proteas and Black Caps.
With the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup set to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, previous World Cup runners-up India will need two of their most experienced batsmen to deal with completely different conditions on the African continent.
Citing their form, Ravichandran Ashwin, a former teammate of both the legends and 2011 ICC ODI World Cup winner, has expressed his desire to see Virat Kohli opening the innings with Rohit Sharma.
He said, “I don’t know who will open. I would ideally like, I mean, in this case, why not Virat? Virat opens the batting in T20 cricket; then why not Virat? If he can open the innings with Rohit Sharma…”
Ravichandran Ashwin on YouTube:
“If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli open in the 2027 World Cup, then Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shreyas Iyer can bat at No. 3 and 4,” Ashwin said.
Bhai carelessly dropped captain Shubman Gill from the eleven. pic.twitter.com/BjuO2ElXVO
– Abhishek Kumar (@abhishek060722) 14 March 2026
“Shreyas Iyer is the true No. 4,” Ashwin wants Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad to play in 2027 World Cup
While Rohit Sharma was seen batting with Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cup 2024, if this is to happen in the ODI, then Shubman Gill will have to be sidelined. The Indian captain was never mentioned in Ashwin’s choice of those top four players.
Instead he said that if Shreyas Iyer returns to the team as vice-captain, he is a good choice for the middle order. But if Virat can find a place in the top four along with Rohit, Ruturaj Gaikwad can put up a promising number. For India 3.
“…(If Virat Kohli can open the innings with Rohit Sharma…) then, Ruturaj and Shreyas will also come into the mix,” Ashwin said.
Ruturaj Gaikwad played a stellar role in the win against South Africa, but was dropped for the very next series due to the withdrawal of India’s vice-captain. Gaikwad can open the innings as well as bat in the middle order, hence he is an ideal choice for analysts like Ravichandran Ashwin.
Shubman Gill’s ODI form as captain of the Indian team
Shubman Gill has been in very poor form since his return to the Indian ODI team and appointment as the new captain of the Men in Blue. After playing three ODIs against Australia and then three more ODIs against New Zealand, Gill has managed to score two half-centuries and less than 200 runs in 6 innings.
The captain has not been in the best batting form, and hence, his former No. 1 ODI batsman status was soon taken over by his teammates Rohit Sharma and now, Virat Kohli. Gill’s poor form led him to be dropped from the ICC T20 World Cup squad and if he does not make a comeback, his place in the ODI World Cup squad could also be in danger.
Rohit Sharma can still be the ideal captain to lead India in the next World Cup in 2027, so captaincy is not the main reason for Shubman’s selection.
Also Read: Former PBKS all-rounder names Shreyas Iyer to win IPL 2026 Orange Cap
