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No Rohit, Kohli in 2027 WC? ODI retirements that might shake IND before marquee event

Debashis Sarangi

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could retire from ODIs [Source: AFP]Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could retire from ODIs [Source: AFP]

On Saturday, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee unveiled India's squads for the upcoming tour of Australia. Despite having Rohit Sharma back in the team, India announced Shubman Gill as their ODI captain going forward. 

While youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh were added to the ODI scheme of things, the selectors sent a clear message to several seniors by taking some bold calls to smooth the transition process. 

As India have finalised their squad for the Australia tour, here are several senior players who don't seem to be in the mix of things and might announce their ODI retirement before the next World Cup.  

Rohit Sharma

Why Rohit Sharma could retire from ODIs before 2027 World Cup

  • Rohit Sharma has now formally been replaced by Shubman Gill as India's ODI captain. Considering Rohit led the Men in Blue to the 2025 Champions Trophy title, it was expected that the BCCI would persist with him as the captain for the Australia tour. 
  • However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee made it quite clear that they want a young team for the next World Cup in 2027. So, given that Rohit has officially been removed as the captain, he is likely to announce his ODI retirement very soon. 
  • Rohit Sharma is already 38 years old, and he will be 40 by the next World Cup. So, it's understandable from the team management's perspective not to see him as a long-term opening option, keeping the marquee tournament in mind. 
  • In fact, Agarkar himself clarified that Rohit isn't committed to play the next World Cup edition. If we connect the dots, Rohit Sharma's ODI retirement seems inevitable in the near future. 

Virat Kohli

Why Virat Kohli could retire from ODIs before 2027 World Cup

  • Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar have smoothened the transition process by phasing out seniors and introducing young blood to the Indian white-ball setup. 
  • Kohli and Rohit, who retired from T20Is following India's T20 World Cup glory last year, were given a clear message from the BCCI regarding their Test future after failing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 
  • Additionally, Ajit Agarkar has revealed that Virat Kohli has given no assurance to play in the 2027 World Cup. So, with India aiming to revamp their ODI core before the World Cup, the talismanic batter might decide to call it a day sooner or later. 

Ravindra Jadeja

Why Ravindra Jadeja could retire from ODIs before 2027 WC

Criterion
Jadeja
Axar
Matches711
Runs50302
Wickets1113

(Jadeja and Axar in ODIs after 2023 WC)

  • Ravindra Jadeja, India's first-choice spin bowling all-rounder in ODIs, has been dropped for the upcoming series against Australia. The BCCI selection committee preferred Axar Patel over him, considering the former's versatility as a batter and recent performances. 
  • Axar has been a prolific performer for India recently, while Jadeja's role has been reduced to more of a bowler who can bat in the ODI format. As Agarkar stated, the seam-friendly conditions in Australia made the selectors to pick only one between Axar and Jadeja, with the former being preferred for his superior batting attributes. 
  • As similar conditions are expected in South Africa, where the next World Cup will be played, India are expected to follow a similar trend and choose Axar over Jadeja for the tournament. Jadeja's age (36) and non-selection for the Australia ODIs hint that he's not in India's World Cup plans and might soon announce his retirement from the format. 

Mohammed Shami

Why Mohammed Shami could retire from ODIs before 2027 WC

  • Mohammed Shami made his ODI comeback for the 2025 Champions Trophy and played a significant role in India's title winning campaign. Although he bagged nine wickets in just five matches, Shami seemed to have lost the zip that he had prior to the ankle injury.
  • The veteran pacer has sustained multiple injury setbacks since the 2023 World Cup. He has lost his pace drastically after getting fit and isn't in India's scheme of things anymore. The fast bowler was not even picked for the home series against West Indies and it's highly doubtful if he can keep himself fully fit during an entire World Cup edition. 
  • So, considering India have clearly moved on from Shami, the veteran fast bowler might hang up his boots from ODIs very soon.