India’s disappointing T20I series losses to Ireland and England are now behind them as attention shifts to the three-match ODI series against England which is scheduled to start from July 14 and the opener clash will take place in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Why are there speculations over Ro-Ko Participation in the ODI World Cup 2027?
Ahead of the opening ODI, India captain Shubman Gill spoke about the team’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He revealed that he has been in regular discussions with Virat Kohli about the tournament and said the team management has already started identifying the players who could be part of India’s plans for the World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe next year.
Ever since Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket last year, there has been constant speculation over how long the two veterans will continue in the ODI format. Although both have produced important performances, questions about their future have continued to surface.
Will Kohli feature in ODI World Cup 2027?
Gill’s latest comments, however, make it clear that Kohli remains a big part of India’s plans. His remarks are likely to put an end, at least for now, to the rumours surrounding the former captain’s ODI future.
“There is absolutely no doubt about Virat Kohli’s place in our plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He will definitely play a very important role for us in that tournament. Having a senior player of his calibre in the team is a huge advantage,” Gill told reporters on the eve of the first ODI on Monday.
“In fact, just the day before yesterday, I was discussing our plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup with him. We talked about team combinations, which players could be part of the squad, who might not be, and where each player would fit best within the team setup. So yes, Virat is fully prepared and motivated to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup,” he added.
Kohli's recent form
Kohli has enjoyed an excellent run in ODIs over the past few months. He scored heavily against New Zealand and South Africa. Although he managed two ducks against Australia last year, he returned to form in the final ODI in Sydney and has looked confident ever since.
He carried that form into IPL 2026, where he scored more than 600 runs and played a key role in helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru defend their title. During the tournament, Kohli had also said that his main goal is to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, and his preparation has been focused on that target.
Gill on Rohit and Virat's role in ODI World Cup
Gill also backed both Kohli and Rohit Sharma, saying their experience continues to be valuable for the team. According to the India captain, the two senior players remain an important part of the dressing room, with younger cricketers regularly turning to them for advice.
Kohli missed India’s last ODI series against Afghanistan because of a hamstring injury. Rohit Sharma got starts in the first two matches but could not convert them into big scores. He bounced back in the final ODI with a well-made half-century.
“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been the backbone of Indian cricket for the past decade, and both remain an integral part of the team,” said Gill.