Shikhar Dhawan Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma. Image Credits: AFP
With the IPL 2026 in full swing, the focus is also on one of the biggest tournaments of the cricketing calendar, that is the ICC Men's ODI Cricket World Cup 2027. While young talent continues to emerge, discussions about the future of India's senior stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have gained momentum for the marquee tournament.
The 2027 edition of the ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, it will feature 14 teams and 54 matches.
This will be the second time South Africa and Zimbabwe co-host the event after 2003, while Namibia will host World Cup matches for the first time.
Shikhar Dhawan's clear verdict on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Amid growing speculation about whether Virat Kohli and Rohit will make it to the 2027 squad, Shikhar Dhawan has offered his opinion. According to him, both players should be part of India's plans.
He highlighted that big tournaments like the World Cup demand composure and game awareness, qualities that seasoned players bring.
"Kohli & Rohit can - and they should play. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both are experienced - you need experience going into the ODI WC, which is only a year away".
However, concerns remain. Both Kohli and Rohit retired from Test cricket earlier this year and now play fewer ODIs due to the changing cricket calendar.
By 2027, Rohit Sharma will be in his 40s, while Kohli will be in his late 30s. Questions about fitness, and workload management are inevitable, especially in a physically demanding tournament.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's recent form in ODIs
Virat Kohli has shown exceptional consistency in ODIs. In series against South Africa and New Zealand before the IPL 2026, he delivered outstanding performances.
In the New Zealand series, Kohli played 3 innings and scored 240 runs at an average of 80.00 and a strike rate of 105.26. In the South Africa series, he played three innings and made 302 runs at a strike-rate of 117.05 and an average of 151.
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Rohit, on the other hand, has had mixed results. While he struggled during the New Zealand series, he bounced back with a solid performance against South Africa.
Rohit made just 61 runs in 3 innings at an average of 20.33 against New Zealand. In the SA series, the star player made 146 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 110.61 and an average of 48.67.
Their upcoming ODI appearances against Afghanistan after the IPL 2026 could play a key role in shaping selectors’ decisions.
What Lies Ahead for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?
In IPL 2026, Kohli has been in red-hot form, scoring runs consistently and maintaining a high strike rate. The star player had played in 8 innings and made 351 runs at an average of 58.50 and a strike-rate of 162.50.
On the other hand, Rohit has just played four innings and made 137 runs at an average of 34.25 and a strike-rate of 165.06. However, he has not played four matches since he suffered a hamstring injury in MI's game against Royal RCB on April 12.
His fitness will be closely monitored, as it could be a deciding factor in his long-term future.
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