Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as India’s head coach has sparked speculation about the future of veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players retired from T20Is after the recent World Cup, leaving their availability for future tournaments uncertain.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Rohit will lead India in the ICC Champions Trophy and World Test Championship in 2025. However, it remains unclear whether he and Kohli will be available for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Gambhir has stated that both players are in his plans, emphasizing their experience and ability. However, former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has pointed out Gambhir’s previous comments suggesting that senior players would be dropped if they underperformed in the T20 World Cup.
Srikkanth believes that Kohli’s fitness levels could allow him to play in the 2027 World Cup, but he doubts Rohit’s ability to perform at a high level at the age of 40. The tournament will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, which could pose physical challenges for older players.
The BCCI has not yet made a decision on the future of Rohit and Kohli. The selectors will likely assess their performances in the upcoming series and make a determination based on their form and fitness.
