The cricketing world is abuzz with speculation about the future of India’s iconic batsmen, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as they prepare for a three-match ODI series against Australia starting October 19, 2025. This series marks their return to the Indian team since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. However, former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has raised concerns about whether the duo, aged 36 and 38 respectively, will be able to sustain their careers until the 2027 ODI World Cup, given their limited participation in the ODI format and the physical demands of the game.
Gavaskar, speaking to India Today, emphasized the challenge of preparing for a tournament as significant as the World Cup when players are limited to playing only a handful of ODIs each season. “It’s not easy to be playing just seven or eight ODIs in a season while preparing for something as big as a World Cup,” he remarked. With both Kohli and Sharma now focusing exclusively on the ODI format for India, having stepped away from Test and T20I cricket, their ability to stay match-fit and competitive is under scrutiny. Gavaskar’s comments highlight the need for consistent game time to maintain the sharpness required for international cricket.
To address this, Gavaskar suggested that both players may need to participate in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy to ensure adequate match practice. “There is not much in terms of exposure or practice for players who are approaching the latter stages of their careers. They will have to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy in India whenever it’s scheduled, if it doesn’t clash with any international ODI tournaments,” he stated. This approach, he argued, would help Kohli and Sharma stay in form and maintain their competitive edge, especially as they navigate the twilight of their illustrious careers.
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Kohli and Sharma, who rank as India’s second and fourth-highest ODI run-scorers of all time, have been mainstays in the national side for over a decade. Their contributions have been pivotal to India’s success, including Rohit’s leadership in securing the Champions Trophy title earlier this year. However, with Shubman Gill now appointed as the new ODI captain, replacing Rohit, and the duo no longer holding leadership roles, questions about their longevity in the sport are growing.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, remained non-committal about their 2027 World Cup prospects, stating, “We’ve picked them for Australia. You just need them to score runs like they have been through their career.”
As the cricketing fraternity looks ahead, the focus remains on whether Kohli and Sharma can defy age and limited ODI exposure to remain key figures in India’s 2027 World Cup campaign. Their performance in the upcoming Australia series will be closely watched, not only for their immediate contributions but also as an indicator of their ability to adapt to the evolving demands of the game. For now, fans and analysts alike await to see if these modern greats can continue to deliver on the global stage.
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