Rohit Sharma’s 2027 World Cup Dream Tossed

Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir are two alphas in Indian setup. PC-AFP

The Indian squad for the upcoming bilateral series against Afghanistan was recently named, with Rohit Sharma as the major talking points from the selection. 

India will host Afghanistan in the one-off Test match and three-match ODIs, straight after the IPL 2025. Although the Indian Test side has no major changes, the ODI team raised various eyebrows with the highlight around Rohit and Hardik Pandya being picked despite recent injuries. 

Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been named in the IND vs AFG ODI Squad under the bracket of subject to fitness. However, the selectors have named like-for-like replacements for the two players. 

BCCI testing players for WC 2027

As the BCCI is looking to groom the Men in Blue for the 2027 World Cup, the selectors have picked a completely inexperienced but adroit bowling unit, with as many as three unnamed players named in the IND vs AFG ODI Squad. 

After a truckload of performances in the IPL and domestic circles, Prince Yadav, Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar have been called up for the Afghanistan ODIs. Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav are also picked. 

Meanwhile, in the batting department, the BCCI selectors have opted not to make any changes, apart from Ishan Kishan coming in, for Rishabh Pant, as back-up keeper and an opening option. 

Also Read: Ishan Kishan Replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal! Changes India Made For 2027 World Cup

Rohit Sharma not to play WC 2027: Reports

Days after the IND vs AFG ODI Squad was revealed, it has been reported by ABP News that Rohit Sharma is not looked to be part of the 2027 World Cup. 

Moreover, India's next ODI bilateral against England will be crucial for the former India captain's future.

"Rohit Sharma not likely to play next World Cup. England tour may be crucial," reported by ABP News' seasoned journalist G. S. Vivek. 

If reports are to be believed, younger openers like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who were not named in the IND vs AFG ODI Squad, are seen as Rohit's replacement. Ishan Kishan is allegedly also a contender. 

It is worth noting that Rohit's place in the current ODI squad for the Afghanistan series reportedly emerged as the biggest indicator at the BCCI meeting before the team announcement, with his fitness a major factor. 

Rohit Sharma's remarkable run despite injury

Playing for the Mumbai Indians, Rohit Sharma had a serious issue with his hamstring, which made him miss half of the IPL 2026. 

Although he has played a couple of remarkable innings this season, the fitness of the 39-year-old has been questioned, despite the former captain working rigorously on it behind the scenes. 

In IPL 2026, Rohit has scored 283 runs in 8 innings at an average of 35.38 and an incredible strike rate of 160.80. Meanwhile, he has consistently performed wherever he has played, either for India or for Mumbai, in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy. 

India’s ODI Squad for Afghanistan Series

Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma (subject to fitness), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (subject to fitness), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey. 

IND vs AFG Schedule

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