Sunil Gavaskar hopes Rohit Sharma will achieve his goal: more ODI centuries than his age by the time he retires

In Indian cricket, the discussion is currently not so much about the runs scored by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but rather a more fundamental question: can the Indian team be considered complete for the 2027 World Cup without these two players?

Suresh Rana shared his opinion on this matter. He believes that if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are included in the Indian team for the 2027 World Cup, the probability of winning the title will reach 90 percent. This figure is Rana's assessment, not the result of statistical calculations, but his statement has once again raised a discussion that Indian cricket cannot ignore for several months.

Interestingly, this discussion is not only driven by Rana's statements. Gautam Gurwir also recently emphasized the exceptional importance of Rohit's and Virat's roles. He noted that Shubman Gill is very happy in the ODI format because he receives support from players like Rohit and Virat, both on and off the field. This means that the value of both players to the Indian team is not limited only to batting.

Naturally, questions arise regarding the age of Rohit and Virat. By the time of the 2027 World Cup, both players will be in a career stage where close attention is paid to their physical condition, reactions, and ability to perform regularly in matches. However, age itself cannot determine squad selection; the decisive criteria will be points, physical fitness, and the benefit they bring to the team.

The debate surrounding Rohit's case is sharper. Virat's place in the ODI squad currently looks relatively stable, whereas Rohit's future has been constantly questioned recently. Rumors about his future in ODIs intensified even during the tour in England, but he personally refuted these assumptions. The return of both players in the three-match ODI series against the West Indies is a sign that, at least for now, they are in the selection committee's plans.

Thus, over the next year, every ODI match for Rohit will be an opportunity to continuously prove his ability to be part of the 2027 picture.

If we look at Rana's statement through the lens of statistics, an interesting picture becomes evident. The 2027 World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. In this regard, the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in South African conditions naturally becomes the center of discussion. This is made particularly interesting by Virat's record there in ODIs. He has scored 993 runs in 18 matches in South Africa with an average of 76.38.

Rohit's statistics are significantly weaker: 256 runs in 13 matches with an average of 19.69. This means that simply stating that both players have experience playing in South Africa does not reveal the whole picture. Both have experience, but its transformation into performance was much more effective in Virat's case.

Nevertheless, it is not easy to exclude Rohit solely based on this data. In a tournament like the World Cup, a player's usefulness is determined not only by past records of one country. Match situations, current form, team composition, and their role in the dressing room also play an equally important role.

Perhaps the most interesting picture of 2027 is as follows. Shubman Gill leads the Indian ODI team and has become the face of the new generation of leaders. However, the presence of two former captains, such as Rohit and Virat, alongside him gives the transition period a completely different character. Gurwir clearly stated that Gill receives help from Rohit and Virat both on and off the field. He also acknowledged that it is not easy in Indian cricket to exclude a player from the starting lineup, especially when it comes to such big names.

This is where the true value of Rohit and Virat lies. If the batting works, they can win the match. If the batting doesn't work, their experience can support Gill's captaincy. But there is one condition: this role cannot be based solely on prestige. By 2027, both must retain their spot through performance and physical fitness. And this is the biggest turning point.

India has alternatives. Former selection committee member Sandeep Patil also spoke about this. He believes that Rohit and Virat are great players, but if they have to give way to new players in the future, the depth of the Indian bench is such that it will not create a more serious problem.

Thus, the picture is twofold. On one hand, the experience of Rohit and Virat, their ability to handle pressure in major matches, and their influence in the dressing room. On the other hand, young alternatives like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who are constantly knocking on the door. It is this clash that will determine the direction of the Indian ODI team over the next year.

Therefore, reducing the story of the 2027 World Cup to the question of 'will Rohit and Virat be there?' would be premature right now. The right question is: will both remain good enough by 2027 so that India does not risk by leaving them out? If the answer is yes, it will be difficult to ignore the experience. If the answer is no, then the future team cannot be built solely on the past greatness of names. Rana claimed 90 percent, but over the next year, India needs to prove that statistics...

Dilip Vengsarkar, a former captain and distinguished cricketer, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the selection of the Indian squad, raising a serious question about why players who perform brilliantly in domestic cricket (Ranji Trophy) are not given a deserved place in the national team.

Vengsarkar stated that if performances in domestic tournaments do not qualify one for the international team, then holding these tournaments is pointless. Discussing this in an interview with a media channel, he sharply remarked: 'If you believe that these domestic matches are not the basis for selection, then just stop the Ranji Trophy. Don't play it.'

He emphasized that players put in enormous effort, win matches, and take crucial wickets. If they are not given a chance in the Indian team after all this, it is considered a waste of time.

Vengsarkar specifically highlighted the fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, Akib Nabi, who made a splash in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. He is currently part of the ODI team against the West Indies but is still awaiting his debut.

Expressing surprise over the exclusion of the outstanding bowler Mohammad Shammi from the team, Vengsarkar noted that Shammi took 37 wickets in the recent Ranji season and had an average below 17. Furthermore, he contributed significantly to the Eastern region's championship in the Dilip Trophy 2026.

Mohammad Shammi has been outside the test squad since June 2023 and in international cricket since March 2025. Vengsarkar strongly advocated for Shammi's inclusion before the upcoming test series against New Zealand, asserting that he did not understand why he was excluded. He considers Shammi an excellent bowler who has demonstrated outstanding results both domestically and internationally, and he should be an important part of the Indian team.