Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after 3rd ODI vs NZ in 2026. Credits: afp.com
The Cricket World Cup 2027 is more than a year away from this point, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to leave no stone unturned to win their fourth ICC title in as many years. Although India's white-ball teams are by far the best in world cricket right now, the Men in Blue will rejig a few things in the build-up year to the mega-event.
India not only won the previous ICC 50-over event, but they completed the summit by breaking a sweat. However, their ultimate summit for Men In Blue is winning the ODI World Cup, as vowed by Rohit Sharma.
Having said that, India have moved on from Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill at helm in ODI and Test formats. However, they have been able to win just a solitary series as Gill the captain. The Men in Blue lost an away series against Australia, and then New Zealand defeated India in a limited-overs series in India earlier the year.
BCCI selections to travel through IPL matches
The BCCI has decided to keep the five-member selection panel on duty even during the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). As reported by PTI, India's senior men's selection panel will be closely monitoring the IPL matches to keep a check on the players' fitness and progress, visiting the stadium and tracking it remotely through television.
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"The BCCI is looking at each selector watching at least one game per week which covers five games per week from the venue. Else obviously they can track on TV," a BCCI official told PTI.
Notably, it is unclear whether the cheif selector Ajit Agarkar will be on duty during the IPL, as his contract was to expire after India's triumph in the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, the former fast bowler is considered to renew his contract until the ODI World Cup next year.
Currently, the selection panel comprises SS Das (East Zone), RP Singh (North Zone), Ajay Ratra (North Zone) and Pragyan Ojha (South Zone).
BCCI looking at 20 probables for 2027 WC
Moreover, the BCCI is looking to contruct a 20-member tentative squad keeping for the forthcoming ODI World Cup, keeping the Test schedule in mind.
It is worth mentioning Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and KL Rahul are some of the few cricketers, who the regular in both Test and ODI squads. And BCCI aren't interested to test any new name for the megaevent.
It is understood that, the Indian board is not looking to test new names in the longest format. Thus, regulars like Bumrah and Siraj will not be missing much of Test cricket. The pace duo is expected to play in the one-off Test match against Afghanistan as well, which will not be a part of the WTC cycle.
"The India Test cap isn't for experimentation. For that, you have India A shadow tours. As of now, in Tests, Bumrah, Siraj and Prasidh are top three bowlers on the selectors' radar," the BCCI source said.
What's the future for Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli?
After retiring from Tests and T20Is, the indispensable pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now features only in ODIs for India. Against all odds, the experienced pair didn't look rusty during the recent series against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Although they play very little international cricket, every outing becomes a point of judgment for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
India will next be seen in action during the one Test and three-game ODIs against Afghanistan in June later this year.
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