Gautam Gambhir spills beans on Rohit-Virat inclusion in ICC World Cup 2027

As Indian cricket undergoes a transition, one burning question is making waves: Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli feature in the ICC World Cup 2027? The speculation gained traction after the duo recently announced their retirement from Test cricket. However, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has urged fans and critics alike to hold their horses, emphasizing that the team's current focus is the 2026 T20 World Cup, set to be held in India.

"Too Early to Talk About 2027" – Gambhir

“We still have a T20 World Cup before that, and that is again a huge tournament, which is going to happen in India in February-March. So, the entire focus at the moment after England will be on the T20 World Cup. And November-December 2027 is still two-and-a-half years away,” said Gambhir in a recent media interaction.

The former Indian opener also underlined his belief in meritocracy over age, stating, “I’ve always said one thing—if you keep performing, age is just a number.”

Also Read: Will Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma play in ODI World Cup 2027?

Rohit-Virat’s ODI Future Still Unclear

Rohit and Virat’s last appearance in ODI cricket came during India's Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year in Dubai. Rohit Sharma anchored the final with a composed 76-run knock, while Virat Kohli delivered a gritty innings in the semi-final against Australia, once again proving their value in crunch games.

Yet, their participation in future white-ball tournaments remains up in the air, with selectors and management reportedly adopting a "wait and watch" approach.

Gambhir Reflects on Their Test Retirement

Commenting on their exit from Test cricket, Gambhir said, “When you want to start or finish your career is a very individual decision. No one — not the coach, selectors, or anyone else — has the right to dictate that.”

He added, “Yes, we’ll be without two very experienced players, but that also opens doors for others. Just like we saw during the Champions Trophy when Bumrah was missing, someone else rose to the occasion. The same could happen here, too.”

The Door Remains Open

While the future of Rohit and Kohli in the 2027 World Cup remains uncertain, Gambhir has made it clear that form, not age, will dictate their selection. With the 2026 T20 World Cup around the corner, the Indian think-tank is focused on present priorities.