Will they? Won't they? The question remains. Ever since retiring from Tests last year, speculation has continued to rise about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future. The performances should ideally make the two stalwarts of the game sure-shot starters in the 2027 ODI World Cup; however, it's unclear whether the duo will make the African safari for a last dance and a shot at ultimate glory. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar have remained coy, and a firm answer hasn't been given on their participation in the World Cup next year.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, gave his take on the burning issue, saying the duo have it in them to play in the next edition of the tournament. However, he also sympathised with Gambhir and Agarkar, saying the duo also have the task of giving enough games to the youngsters if Kohli and Rohit suffer a blip in form at the last minute.
Giving an example of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuvraj said that the left-handed youngster scored a century in his last ODI for the Men in Blue, but still, he continues to warm the bench.
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“The players who are at the end of their careers, giving clarity is very important. The captain, coach, and selectors should sit with the guys and explain how they are looking at things. The conversation might not go well, but at least you tried on your end. Look at Yashasvi Jaiswal; he scored a century in his last ODI, but he is sitting out. When will you groom Jaiswal? You have the World Cup next year,” Yuvraj told Sports Tak.
{{/usCountry}}“The players who are at the end of their careers, giving clarity is very important. The captain, coach, and selectors should sit with the guys and explain how they are looking at things. The conversation might not go well, but at least you tried on your end. Look at Yashasvi Jaiswal; he scored a century in his last ODI, but he is sitting out. When will you groom Jaiswal? You have the World Cup next year,” Yuvraj told Sports Tak.
{{/usCountry}}“If you are going to the World Cup, you should have played several games. I am not saying you should drop someone. But if you're playing the 2027 ODI World Cup, you need to start preparing your squad now. You need to give them many games. Take a decision, it shouldn't happen at the last minute that one of your senior players gets injured and there's no young player,” he added.
‘Clarity issue’
Ever since the retirements from Tests, there has been a lot of chatter about Rohit and Virat's relationship with Gambhir and Agarkar. The rumour mills worked overtime, suggesting that all was not well between the concerned parties. However, in the last three ODI series against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, both RoKo came to the party and scored heaps of runs.
Yuvraj urged the authorities to have a clear chat with Rohit and Virat and let them know about their plans so that there's no bad blood and no one is kept in the dark.
“Virat Kohli has had a superb series. Rohit has been performing consistently. If a situation comes up in the next 1.5 years, it shouldn't be that your second line isn't ready. Now, ODI cricket isn't played as much. Whoever you want to play, make sure you give them enough time,” said Yuvraj.
“Senior players are important. I don't know what is going on in Rohit and Virat's minds. It looks like they're thinking of the World Cup. But I think that's the call they and the selectors need to take. There has to be clarity. You should be able to sit in a room and discuss things. It's tough. If someone tells you they are looking ahead, you won't be able to take it, but one year down the line, you'd appreciate that someone gave you clarity,” he added.