As Team India begins its long build-up to the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup in South Africa, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has cast doubt over the continued presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the ODI setup. With both legends having retired from Tests and T20Is, ODIs remain their only active international format, but even that now hangs in the balance.
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Age and Inactivity Raise Questions over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Kohli (36) and Rohit (38) have not featured in international cricket since India’s Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year. Their absence from domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has further widened the gap between them and the younger, match-fit squad. While Kohli has publicly expressed his desire to win another World Cup, the BCCI is reportedly planning “honest and professional conversations” with both players to assess their mental and physical readiness for the next ODI cycle.
A senior BCCI source told PTI,
“We still have more than two years for the next World Cup. Both Kohli and Rohit will be pushing 40 by then. There has to be a clear plan ahead for the big event. We also need to try out a few youngsters in time.”
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Team India’s ODI Roadmap to 2027
India is scheduled to play 27 ODIs across nine bilateral series before the 2027 World Cup. With limited fixtures and increasing competition from emerging talents, the board is keen to ensure that the team evolves strategically. Here’s a look at India’s ODI schedule leading up to the tournament:
| Time Period | Opponent | Venue | No. of ODIs |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | Bangladesh | Away | 3 |
| Oct–Nov 2025 | Australia | Away | 3 |
| Nov–Dec 2025 | South Africa | Home | 3 |
| January 2026 | New Zealand | Home | 3 |
| June 2026 | Afghanistan | Home | 3 |
| July 2026 | England | Away | 3 |
| Sept–Oct 2026 | West Indies | Home | 3 |
| Oct–Nov 2026 | New Zealand | Home | 3 |
| December 2026 | Sri Lanka | Home | 3 |
While Kohli and Rohit remain two of the most decorated ODI players in history, the BCCI is clearly preparing for a generational shift. The emergence of fearless young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, and Sai Sudharsan has intensified the debate over whether it’s time to hand over the reins.
The coming months will be pivotal. Whether Kohli and Rohit return to the ODI fold consistently or gradually make way for the next generation could define India’s chances at global glory in 2027.
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