Why Abhishek Sharma's potential ODI call-up puts Rohit's 2027 WC selection at risk

Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Sharma for India - (Source : AFP)

On Wednesday, September 24, the BCCI is all set to announce the squad for the West Indies Tests. Amid the wait for the Test squad, a report has taken over the internet, stating that Abhishek Sharma is all set to earn his maiden ODI call-up during the Australia series later in October. 

Sharma, who has been India's best batter in the ongoing Asia Cup, has impressed the selectors and might soon be seen in the fifty-over format. Abhishek made his T20I debut in 2024, but still awaits his ODI call-up. It can be great news for the southpaw as preparations have already begun for the 2027 World Cup, and the 25-year-old might just have got himself into the scheme of things.

However, Sharma's selection can also be bad news for Rohit Sharma, and this article will look at why. 

1. Abhishek's selection: A Hint At Rohit's Early Retirement

The upcoming ODI series against Australia would also mark the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the Indian set-up. The last time these two veterans donned the Indian jersey was during the Champions Trophy 2025 final. 

Notably, the hitman is eyeing the 2027 World Cup, but several reports have hinted that the management might not be interested in dragging the 38-year-old to the mega-tournament in South Africa.

Also, Abhishek's inclusion would help India stick to a more aggressive approach similar to Rohit and also hand over the leadership role to either Shubman Gill or Shreyas Iyer.

2. Abhishek-Gill's Impressive Partnership A Key Reason

Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill silenced the critics with their partnership in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The two star players from Punjab share a great bond, and it could help India succeed at the top level.

No doubt, Gill shares a great opening stand with Rohit, but if the management is looking for a transition, then Gill and Abhishek's opening pair in the Asia Cup has acted as a catalyst.

Talking about the two players and their stats, the duo has amassed 230 runs in eight innings, averaging 28.75, which features a solitary century-run stand. Suryakumar Yadav recently rightly labelled the duo as an 'Ice and Fire' pair, where both can be aggressive in their respective manner.

3. Rohit's Inconsistency: A New Consistent In ODIs

Rohit Sharma, who will go down in history as one of the best ODI batters, has seen a dip in his performance in the fifty-over game. The hitman stole the limelight during the 2023 World Cup campaign, where he beautifully adopted a new brand of cricket and provided a platform for the Men in Blue by taking on the bowlers in the first powerplay.

If we look at Rohit's 2023 World Cup campaign, then the hitman scored 597 runs in 11 innings, averaging 54.27. Most importantly, Rohit batted with a strike rate of 125. 

However, in the last two years, the average has dipped, and so have Rohit's quick fire cameos. Notably, comparing Rohit's 2024 and 2025 seasons, the hitman saw an average of just 37 in 2025, and his strike-rate too just dipped to 108.

So, even if the management is asking just quick-fire cameos and a 2023 World Cup-like role from the top-order, then Abhishek Sharma seems to be a better guy in Indian cricket at this moment to play those 30-ball 50, 60 runs knock even in the fifty-over format.

Rohit Sharma's Stats In 2023 World Cup

Comparing Rohit's Stats from 2023 to 2025

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