Gautam Gambhir Refuses to Guarantee Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma a Spot in India’s 2027 World Cup Squad

Gautam Gambhir refuses to guarantee Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma a place in India’s 2027 ODI World Cup squad, saying that selection will depend on their fitness, form, and consistency rather than reputation. The newly appointed India head coach made the remarks while addressing the media at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi after India’s seven-wicket victory over West Indies in the second Test, sealing a 2-0 series win.

Gambhir, who took charge earlier this year, urged that long-term assumptions about senior players’ participation in the 2027 World Cup—set to be held in South Africa—are premature. “The 2027 World Cup is still two and a half years away. It’s important to stay in the present. Both Kohli and Rohit are quality players, and hopefully, they have a successful tour in Australia,” said the 44-year-old coach.

Kohli and Rohit Return After Eight-Month Gap

Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are making a comeback to international cricket after an eight-month break. Their last appearance for India came during the victorious Champions Trophy 2025 campaign in the UAE earlier this year. They will now feature in the ODI leg of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, a key series ahead of future ICC events.

Earlier this month, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had also avoided confirming whether the two senior batters would remain part of India’s long-term ODI plans, despite including them in the squad for the Australia series. His comments led to speculation that this series might act as a “perform or perish” test for both veterans. However, ODI skipper Shubman Gill dismissed such speculation, stating that the team values the experience and match-winning ability of both senior players.

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Gambhir Aligns with Selectors’ Approach

Gambhir’s stance closely mirrors Agarkar’s view that player selection should be based on current performance rather than past achievements. The coach stressed that he prefers to evaluate players on a “series-by-series basis” rather than making commitments for future tournaments. “Our focus should remain on how the team performs in the present. If players maintain form and fitness, they’ll always be in contention,” Gambhir said.

Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, India recently clinched its first Test series win since Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format in May 2025. The 25-year-old captain has impressed with his leadership and adaptability, further intensifying discussions about India’s transition to a younger core for the 2027 World Cup.

Kohli and Rohit’s Training Ahead of Australia Tour

Following a four-month personal break, Virat Kohli returned to India recently and was spotted at the Delhi airport before joining the national camp. After winning his maiden IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) earlier this year, Kohli spent time in London with his family, where he also trained and completed his mandatory pre-season fitness assessment.

Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, began his training last month at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, before moving to Mumbai’s Shivaji Park for more focused batting practice under the supervision of former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar.

Both players are expected to join the rest of the Indian squad as they depart for Australia on Wednesday. The upcoming ODI series is being seen as a crucial testing ground not just for senior players but also for India’s new leadership group under Gill and Gambhir.

A New Phase for Indian Cricket

With the 2027 World Cup cycle underway, India appears to be entering a transition phase, where experience and youth must strike a balance. Gambhir’s approach of focusing on performance over legacy signals a shift toward a results-driven mindset—something that could redefine Indian cricket’s roadmap over the next few years.

Gautam Gambhir has refused to guarantee Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma a spot in India’s 2027 World Cup squad, stressing that selection will depend on performance and fitness. Both players return to action in the ODI series against Australia after a long break, as India prepares for the next phase under Shubman Gill’s leadership and Gambhir’s guidance.