2027 World Cup Unlikely for Rohit Sharma: A Look at the Future of Indian Cricket

The decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Shubman Gill as ODI captain is a clear indication of a shift in Indian cricket, potentially leading to the end of an era for Sharma and Virat Kohli. This isn’t a sudden change, and the words of the selection committee reflect that the 2027 ODI World Cup may be out of reach for the two senior players. While age – Sharma will be 40 and Kohli 38 – is a factor, the lack of regular competitive cricket is a major concern. With their focus now solely on ODIs, maintaining peak form and fitness becomes difficult without sufficient match practice. The absence of Sharma and Kohli from domestic cricket further emphasizes these concerns. Cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar supports the transition, acknowledging that Sharma might recognize it’s time for a change. India’s schedule includes numerous ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, suggesting a strategic plan that likely doesn’t include the veteran players. Gavaskar pointed out that with limited ODI matches, Sharma won’t get the necessary practice for a major tournament. He added that the decision to groom Shubman Gill was made because Sharma’s place wasn’t guaranteed. Gavaskar also mentioned that even Sharma agrees with the decision, recognizing the need to prepare a younger captain for the long term. Gavaskar highlighted that the players understand the limited ODI opportunities and the importance of playing in domestic competitions to stay sharp.