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The debate around Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI future is unlikely to end anytime soon. India do not have too many ODI matches scheduled before the 2027 World Cup, which means every squad announcement is likely to bring fresh questions about whether the two senior batters will still be part of the team when the tournament arrives.
Rohit will be 40 when the 2027 World Cup begins, while Kohli will turn 39 during the tournament. Their age has naturally become a talking point, although both players remain important figures in India’s ODI setup.
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Nehra feels it is too early to make a prediction
Former India pacer Ashish Nehra believes it would be unfair to make a call on their World Cup chances so far in advance.
Speaking at the Cricket Association of Bengal’s annual awards ceremony in Kolkata, Nehra said there is still plenty of time for things to change.
“We all know what Rohit and Virat have achieved over the last decade. But for me, 13 months is a long time. It is very difficult to say right now whether Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli will be there. Forget those two. Age is just a number,” Nehra said, as quoted by RevSportz.
Nehra, who was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team, pointed out that international cricket can change very quickly. According to him, even players who appear certain to be part of India’s plans can find themselves out of a particular format.
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Shubman Gill example shows how quickly things can change
Nehra used Shubman Gill as an example.
Gill is a key player for India in Tests and ODIs, but he was not included in the current T20I squad. Nehra said this shows how selection can change depending on the format and the team’s requirements.
“We talk about Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah, but even Shubman is not in the T20 squad. The way the sport is going, it is fast-paced and more formats are coming. So, it is difficult to say. It is simply too early,” he said.
Performance could matter more than age
For Rohit and Kohli, their performances over the next year could ultimately have a bigger say than their age.
Both have been among the most successful ODI batters of their generation and remain two of the highest active run-scorers in the format.
Nehra believes there is no reason to rule them out if they continue to perform.
“If they are doing well and performing, why not?” he said.
However, Nehra also stressed that the final decision would not rest with one person. The selectors, coaches and the BCCI would all have a role to play in deciding India’s World Cup squad.
A lot can change before the 2027 World Cup
Nehra also made it clear that he would not try to predict India’s World Cup squad this far ahead.
“First of all, I am not coaching India. Secondly, it is too far away. When it comes to international cricket, the World Cup is still around 13 months away. We have seen, not just in Indian cricket but in every sport, how much things can change even in two or three weeks.”
For now, both Rohit and Kohli remain in the conversation for India’s ODI plans. With limited opportunities in the format before the 2027 World Cup, what they do on the field is likely to matter far more than the speculation surrounding them.