Table of Contents
NEW DELHI: The future of India's veteran superstars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, in the ODI format up to the 2027 World Cup has been a hot topic among fans and analysts. Addressing the speculation directly at the NDTV World Summit, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar provided a clear and measured response, stating emphatically that the two champions are not being put on trial for every series.
Ravichandran Ashwin backs Harshit Rana after Gautam Gambhir slams Srikkanth
The Current Situation
When asked about the public desire to see both players in the 2027 World Cup squad, Agarkar acknowledged their immense value to the team and stressed the need to focus on the team's overall progress rather than individual careers.
He also pointed out the uncertainty of planning so far ahead, mentioning that other young players might rise in the next two years. Crucially, Agarkar noted that both players are only playing one format currently and have had a significant layoff since the Champions Trophy final in March, resuming cricket only in October.
Experience Over Instant Results
Agarkar dismissed the idea that the two veterans would be assessed game-by-game for their spots in the squad, emphasizing their established history of success:
"I mean, that'll be a bit silly, isn’t it? When the guys have—one averages over 50 and one averages close to 50. So you're not going to put them on trial for every game."
The Chief Selector highlighted that their decades of elite performance mean their place is secure, regardless of a single bad series. Agarkar explained that their inclusion is based on their proven ability to handle pressure, not just recent form:
"It's not that if both of them don’t get runs this series, that will be the reason they won’t be there; or if they get three hundreds, that is the reason they play 2027."
Long-Term View
Agarkar concluded by reiterating that the planning horizon for the 2027 World Cup remains distant. The selection committee's focus is on shaping the team and assessing players as they return to regular play, rather than making sweeping decisions based on short-term results.
"2027 is a long way away... we’ll see how the team shapes up. But we have some ideas, and as we go along, we’ll probably have a better idea of where the team is progressing to."
His statement clearly indicates the management is trusting the pedigree of Kohli and Sharma and will take a phased approach to their involvement over the next few years.
