BCCI to Review Kohli and Rohit’s World Cup 2027 Chances as Their Future Remains Uncertain

India’s 2-2 draw with England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy showed the strength and confidence of a new generation of cricketers. Mohammed Siraj bowled nearly 200 overs, Washington Sundar gave his all, Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped up when needed and Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna played with heart. Sai Sudharsan showed potential for the future. It was a true display of growth and determination.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma haven’t played international cricket since the Champions Trophy a few months ago. Both have retired from Tests and T20Is, leaving ODIs as the only format they still feature in. Virat is 36, and Rohit is 38, and it’s uncertain whether they’ll be around for the 2027 World Cup. Their next chance to play for India could come in the upcoming ODI series against Australia followed by matches against South Africa. After that, they may have a few more opportunities in the six ODIs against New Zealand and England between January and July 2026. Simply put, their chances will be few.

Age and Fitness Concerns: The Uncertain Future of Kohli and Rohit in ODIs

But this coming-of-age effort raises an important question: What about the experienced seniors like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from T20Is and Tests? Kohli is 36 and Rohit is 38 with their bodies needing more care as time passes. Kohli and Rohit are likely to be seen next in the three-match ODI series against Australia, followed by another three ODIs against South Africa. After that, they may play in six ODIs against New Zealand (home) and England (away) from January to July 2026.

"Yes, it will be discussed soon. We still have over two years before the World Cup in November 2027. Both Kohli and Rohit will be pushing 40 by then, so we need a clear plan in place. Our last win was in 2011, and we’ll also need to give young players a chance to play," a source told PTI.

The preparation for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa may not be enough for Kohli and Rohit with just one format and the IPL to keep them active. At nearly 40, it remains uncertain whether the duo will continue playing. The discussion around their future will be important as the World Cup draws closer. The team needs to come up with a solid plan and consider giving young players opportunities to step up.

"Look, both Kohli and Rohit have made huge contributions to white ball cricket for the team and the sport in general. They have achieved almost everything." report added.

BCCI’s Stance on Kohli and Rohit: Can Reputation Guarantee a Pass on Domestic Cricket?

After India’s World Cup win in 2024, Kohli and Rohit quietly walked away from T20Is, and not long after, they stepped back from Tests as well. Now, the big question is whether these legends will have the say in how and when they exit or if they'll be slowly phased out to make room for the future. Their contributions to white-ball cricket have been massive and honestly, they’ve already ticked nearly every box in their careers.

"So, I don’t think nobody’s going to force their hand, but there will be some honest and professional conversations before the next ODI cycle starts to see where they stand mentally and physically. It depends on that,” the report concluded.

Another challenge is that Kohli and Rohit haven’t had any match time since the Champions Trophy in March. With no domestic white-ball tournaments until the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in November and the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December, they’re facing a long gap. The BCCI’s rule is clear: if a player is fit, they have to play domestic matches or they risk being left out of the national squad. While their reputation might give them some flexibility it’s not certain they’ll get a pass if it comes to that.

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