Players who can replace Rohit Sharma in WC squad [Source: AFP]The 2027 World Cup is still 1.5 years away, but all the teams have started their preparations and have identified the players who will board the flight to South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Team India, the former World Champions, have also geared up for the marquee event as they aim to win their third title.Heading into the World Cup, India has plenty of problems to deal with, and one of them is the opening slot. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are most probably locked in, but the senior batter, Rohit, has fitness issues.In terms of skillsets, Rohit is miles clear of others, but at 39, he isn’t getting any younger, and the selectors are reportedly unsure about his place in the 2027 World Cup.Reportedly, his place in the ODI squad will be a hot topic amongst the selectors, and if Rohit is not picked for the 50-overs World Cup, then Team India would need a solid replacement to partner Gill, and here are 3 choices for the same.1) Yashasvi JaiswalThe obvious first name that comes to everyone’s mind is Yashasvi Jaiswal, who can be an ideal Rohit Sharma replacement in India’s World Cup squad.He has the temperament to score runs across venues, and whenever Jaiswal has had an opportunity in the ODIs, the southpaw has done extremely well, and also has a century to his name. The batter boasts a stellar List-A and ODI record, and India should go for him if they decide to move on from Rohit.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableODI statsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableList-A statsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatchesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table4SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table39SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRunsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table171SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table1746SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableStrike rateSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table86.80SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table85.54SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table50s/100sSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table0/1SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table7/6SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Jaiswal List-A and ODI stats)As the table suggests, Jaiswal has a brilliant record in ODIs and List-A cricket, and the batter has accumulated truckloads of runs in the domestic circuit to earn a place in the World Cup squad.Also Read: Rohit Sharma’s Retirement Demanded Before 2027 World CupIn just 4 ODI games, Jaiswal has already registered a fine hundred, and the southpaw has also racked up 6 centuries in List-A cricket. If India needs a like-for-like replacement, Jaiswal is a solid choice for the World Cup.2) Ishan KishanIshan Kishan has had one of the best resurgences in Indian cricket as of late. He was virtually out of the team before the T20 World Cup 2026, but a strong showing in the marquee event helped him earn a place in the ODIs for the Afghanistan series.In the first ODI against Afghanistan, Kishan batted at number 3 in place of the injured Virat Kohli. However, if Rohit Sharma is not considered for the opening spot, Kishan can be a solid choice alongside Gill.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDataSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatchesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table9SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRunsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table495SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableStrike rateSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table121.92SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table50s/100sSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table3/1SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Kishan ODI stats as opener)His best ODI numbers have come at the top, and Kishan has relished batting as an opener. In nine matches, the southpaw has scored 495 runs, with a strike rate of 121.92.As an opener, Kishan has dominated the proceedings, and if there is no Rohit Sharma, India could consider him as the next best opener for the World Cup.3) Ruturaj GaikwadA dark horse if Rohit Sharma is not picked for the World Cup 2027 is the Maharashtra batter, Ruturaj Gaikwad. He has the backfoot technique required to be a successful batter on the bouncy South African wickets, and the right-handed player also has the right temperament for the ODIs, and has been in superb form.South African wickets demand players with a good backfoot game, and Gaikwad fulfils the criteria. Moreover, Gaikwad is also the List-A batter with the highest average (59.39), and he has already performed for India whenever an ODI opportunity has arrivedHis technique is suited for South African conditions, and if India wants a technically reliable player at the top, Gaikwad could be the answer to replace Rohit.Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Injured Before India Debut
