It seems the ambitious dream of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to don the India jersey in the 2027 50-Over World Cup is in jeopardy.
If the media buzz is to abide by, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could hold ‘amicable parleys ‘ with the legends to seek their plans going ahead. With no Test and ODIs on Ro-Ko’s roster, it’s only the 50-over format that will keep them occupied at the international level.
The Oval heroics have ushered in a resurgence of Indian cricket with clarion calls for the youth brigade to take over. It is no mystery that the team management helmed by a stubborn coach in Gautam Gambhir wants to leave behind the illustrious days of yore and unleash a newfound aggression on opponents across the three formats.
In the wake of this uncertainty, both Rohit and Virat find themselves on a sticky wicket with their future hanging in the balance. The argument against the inclusion of the two ex-captains closes in on the age factor, among others. Virat (36) and Rohit (38) are staring down the swansong zone and by the time we reach the inauguration of the marquee tournament, they won’t be getting any younger.
India get to play 27 ODIs before the coveted championship and with Rohit and Virat having bidden adieu to Tests and T20Is, a dearth of international exposure could also torpedo their chances. And it’s quite unlikely that they would grasp the much-needed match practice by featuring in domestic cricket. Of course, they have the Indian Premier League (IPL), but that’s only a two-month window.
Amid this precariousness exacerbated by demands to replace Rohit with Test skipper Shubman Gill to steer the ship in ODIs, don’t get disillusioned if you wake up to another round of retirement announcements. And sooner or later, even the regular T20I skipper Surya Kumar Yadav (34) would have to pave the way for Gill to call the shots.
Sources say that Virat still might escape the axe but not Rohit. The fitness factor will be the key to decide on the two’s future stint and on this front, the Delhi lad has an edge over the Mumbaikar.
The coming days will bring clarity as to what the board and management are mulling going into the future. However, gratitude and reverence ask for a ceremonious exit of the two champions who have played a pivotal role in shaping and re-shaping Indian cricket.
ALSO READ: No Mr. Shashi Tharoor, Virat and Rohit are a thing of the past; it’s time to move on
India is infamous for dumping aged sportspersons into oblivion, even depriving them of a farewell tie. An ardent Indian cricket aficionado would despise the sight of history repeating itself.
The two do deserve this much cachet.
