Former Indian fast bowler Ashish Nehra has shared his views on the selection prospects of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He believes it’s too early to determine whether these two cricket icons will be included in the squad. Although both players are nearing the end of their careers, they are still making a strong case for their inclusion in the ODI format.
Kohli and Rohit, who have stepped away from Test and T20 formats, are now focusing solely on One Day Internationals as they eye the upcoming World Cup, which will take place in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. So far this year, Kohli has scored 384 runs in six matches, while Rohit has earned 379 runs in nine matches.
Speculation has surrounded their future during India’s recent tour of England, particularly concerning Rohit and questions about his retirement amid some underwhelming performances. However, both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Rohit have dismissed these rumors.
Nehra spoke to PTI and underlined that it’s difficult to predict the future of these seasoned players, as their performance can change quickly, especially as the tournament approaches. He emphasized that 13 months is a long time in cricket and expressed that the situation is still uncertain for Rohit and Kohli.
He noted, “We’ve seen in all sports that things can change in just a couple of weeks. If they continue to perform well, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be considered. It won’t be an easy decision for any coach or captain regarding these players.”
Acknowledging their past records, Nehra said, “It’s tough to say right now whether Rohit or Virat will still be around in 13 months. Age doesn’t play a major role for them. There are no guarantees.”
He also mentioned the emerging talent of players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah but pointed out that Gill isn’t currently in the T20 setup. “It’s too early to make any conclusions,” he added.
The next opportunity for Rohit and Kohli to showcase their skills will be during the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies, set to start on September 27.
