Two of Indian cricket’s biggest names, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, may find their places in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad far from guaranteed. According to a report in Dainik Jagran, the veteran duo will have to meet one important condition to remain in contention — participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic one-day tournament, starting this December.

Limited Game Time a Concern

Both Kohli and Rohit recently retired from T20Is and Tests, focusing solely on the 50-over format. While Rohit continues to captain the ODI side and Kohli remains a key player, their lack of match time in the coming years is a growing concern for selectors. Without regular domestic cricket, team management reportedly feels it will be difficult to justify their inclusion for the 2027 tournament.

The report suggests that selectors have already informed the pair about this stance. In fact, the two were keen to feature in the recent England tour but were told they were unlikely to be picked. This has fuelled speculation that they might retire from ODIs as early as the upcoming home series against Australia in October.

Rise of Young Talent

The emergence of Shubman Gill as Test captain and a strong candidate for future all-format leadership has further strengthened the case for a generational shift. With several young players making an impact, the selectors appear inclined to back fresh faces for the next World Cup cycle.

Transition Underway

India has already undergone a successful transition in T20Is and Tests. The same process now seems to be in motion for ODIs, potentially leaving Kohli and Rohit at a career crossroads. Unless they commit to domestic one-day cricket, their hopes of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup may be slim.

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