They may have hinted at it before. Their form may have spoken loudly. Yet, without a clear statement from the selectors or team management, speculation over whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup has persisted.
Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma at Wankhede Stadium before the start of the India vs USA ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 match, in Mumbai (Sportz Asia)
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On Wednesday, Rohit left little room for doubt. He not only confirmed his intent to play in the next 50-over World Cup but declared he is determined to win it.
Both Rohit and Kohli have retired from T20Is and Tests, choosing to focus solely on ODIs. Questions were raised about whether they could maintain form and fitness until 2027, especially with limited game time. But last year, the senior batters answered those concerns emphatically.
After returning to international cricket in October following a seven-month break, Kohli and Rohit dominated the ODI format. Across three series against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, Kohli amassed 616 runs in nine innings at an average of 88, including three centuries and three fifties. Rohit scored 409 runs in nine innings at 51.12, with three fifties and a century. To underline their commitment, both also featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring centuries in their opening matches.
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Speaking at an ICC event, Rohit admitted he is not content with just participating in the 2027 World Cup, he is “desperate” to lift the trophy that slipped through his fingers in 2023, when India lost to Australia in the final in Ahmedabad.
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Speaking at an ICC event, Rohit admitted he is not content with just participating in the 2027 World Cup, he is “desperate” to lift the trophy that slipped through his fingers in 2023, when India lost to Australia in the final in Ahmedabad.
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"I definitely want to go out there and win the World Cup for my country; that is something that I've always looked upon. I've grown up watching this 50-over World Cup. There was no T20 World Cup, no IPL back then, and that was the pinnacle of cricket, which used to happen every four years. So, there was desperation; there was so much weight for that one trophy. And yeah, I really want that trophy, so I'm going to try and do everything in my power and capacity to work hard and get it," Rohit said.
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Rohit and Kohli will next feature in international cricket in July during India’s tour of England. Before that, they will be in action in IPL 2026.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Cricket/Rohit Sharma shows ‘desperation’ to win 2027 World Cup: ‘I really want that trophy. Will do everything in my power’
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