Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma [Source: AFP]India's preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027 are set to begin with the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. The series, scheduled from June 13 to June 20, will be India's first major step for the tournament in South Africa. It is important to mention that Rohit Sharma has reportedly been declared fit and is expected to return for the IND vs AFG ODIs. Whereas, Virat Kohli will miss the series due to a hamstring injury.With all eyes on the ODI World Cup 2027, the Indian team will focus on team combinations and also on the dressing-room dynamics.With several senior players (Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya) still aiming to be a part of India’s World Cup plans, head coach Gautam Gambhir and ODI captain Shubman Gill are expected to play a much stronger role in defining the team's direction over the next 16 months.Gautam Gambhir Expected To Communicate Clear PlansA recent report by the Times of India suggests that some senior players have been seeking clarity from top BCCI officials regarding their future roles in the ODI setup. Sources believe that the team management and experienced players need to be on the same page as India begins preparations for the World Cup.Also Read: Shubman Gill Answers Doubt With Authority and PanacheA BCCI source told TOI that Gautam Gambhir is expected to take charge of the planning process and clearly communicate their ideas to the squad. "With such big players in the team, Gill needs to have a stronger say in the dressing room. Gambhir hasn't got involved in the planning as intently as he has done in the other two formats. So far, he has let things take its course," a BCCI source said to TOI.Shubman Gill To Define Roles Of Virat Kohli, Rohit SharmaAnother important point mentioned in the report is the role of ODI captain Shubman Gill. Since becoming India's full-time ODI captain after Rohit Sharma, Gill has faced a challenging start. India the lost ODI series in Australia and against New Zealand under his leadership, while the team's only series victory came against South Africa when Gill was unavailable due to injury."Now that the focus has shifted on the preparation for the ODI World Cup, one may expect Gambhir and Gill to take charge and firmly communicate their ideas in the dressing room." "It's important that the senior players, who have served India with distinction for so many years, are conveyed what role the team expects them to play and the plan for the buildup over the next 16 months," the source added.With the focus on ODI World Cup 2027, Gill needs to establish a stronger presence in the dressing room despite sharing space with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.Do Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Deserve A Place In The ODI World Cup 2027?Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both players, have shown great determination for the ODI World Cup 2027. Looking at their recent numbers, Kohli made 675 runs in 16 innings during the recently concluded IPL 2026.On the other hand, Rohit Sharma played 9 innings and scored 283 runs at an average of 35.37 and a strike rate of 157.22. However, his recent injury concerns remain a point of discussion.Virat Kohli has also been in excellent form in ODI cricket. Before IPL 2026, he produced outstanding performances against both South Africa and New Zealand.Against New Zealand, Kohli scored 240 runs in three innings, averaging 80 and at a strike rate of 105.26. He was even more dominant against South Africa, where he made 302 runs in three innings at an incredible average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05.Rohit Sharma's ODI performances have been less consistent. Against New Zealand, he managed only 61 runs in three innings at an average of 20.33. However, he responded strongly in the South Africa series, scoring 146 runs in three innings at an average of 48.67 and a strike rate of 110.61.Based on their recent performances, both Virat and Rohit remain valuable players for India for the 2027 World Cup.Also Read: Hardik Pandya Ruled Out Of ODI Series Vs Afghanistan
