For the past few months, there has been swirling speculation regarding the impending ODI retirements of Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma. Whether the two icons will play the ODI World Cup 2027? Will Rohit still lead the ODI team for the showpiece event? The topic of the two pillars of Indian Cricket took a backseat while the team was playing the five-match Test series against England. However, after that series ended, the Kohli-Rohit topic is again back, this time with even more intensity.
According to the latest report in Dainik Jagran, phasing out Rohit & Kohli ahead of the 2027 World Cup is gaining steam. If the report is to be believed, then the two stalwarts might play their respective last ODI series against Australia Down Under this October. If this indeed happens, then the crowd turnout for each of the three ODIs will likely be a complete sellout. Since both these players have already quit the other two formats - Test & T20Is, the three ODI matches against Australia will carry an emotional weight of farewell, rather than the usual edge the IND vs AUS game carries.
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The report also mentions that if Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma continue to play till the ODI 2027 World Cup, then both the senior players should play the Vijay Hazare Trophy later this year. The reasoning and logic behind this is simple - as the selectors want the players to be fit and be in form ahead of the showpiece event. The report also says that this very condition of participating in domestic matches will trigger the duo's decision to call it quits from ODIs as well.
Are the selectors looking to build a core squad for the ODI 2027 WC?
With close to two solid years in hand for selectors, they are looking to build a strong core team ahead of the ODI 2027 World Cup. The Ajit Agarkar-led panel is looking to heavily invest in youngsters, with the depth in both white-ball formats being richer than ever before. The five-match Test series against England is proof of how young players like Sai Sudarshan, Washington Sundar & Akash Deep grabbed their opportunities.
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Roughly 25 ODIs will be played before the 2027 WC, and the selectors are keen to give young players a chance to stake a claim in the ODI format. With age not on their sides, both Rohit and Kohli might be phased out, or might be told about the Australia series being potentially their farewell ODI series. The tour starts on October 19 in Perth, followed by two games in Adelaide and Sydney.
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