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"We have some ideas": Agarkar says Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma not on trial for 2027 World Cup



Chief selectors on Kohli, Rohit's future [Source: @BCCI/X.com]Chief selectors on Kohli, Rohit's future [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has finally addressed the burning question of whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will make it to the 2027 ODI World Cup. He said that while neither player is on a trial, their spots aren’t guaranteed forever either.

Both Kohli and Rohit, now in their late 30s, have shifted their focus entirely to ODIs after stepping away from T20Is and Tests. 

When the next World Cup arrives in 2027, Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 39, making fitness and form major factors in selection.

Ajit Agarkar refuses to commit to Kohli, Rohit for the 2027 WC

Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025, chief selector Ajit Agarkar cleared the air, saying that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not on trial during the upcoming ODI series against Australia.

“They are part of the squad for Australia. They have been incredible players for a long time. It’s not a forum to keep harping on individuals. You want to focus on the team and what the team wants to achieve. And in two years time, we don’t know what the situation is going to be. So, why just them two? It could be some other younger players," Agarkar said.

However, he did say that nobody’s spot is guaranteed for the 2027 World Cup, as the event is far away and dynamics tend to change quickly in cricket.

“That’ll be a bit silly, isn’t it? When one averages over 50 (Kohli, 57.9) and one is close to 50 (Rohit, 48.8), you are not going to put them on trial for every game. 2027 is a long way away, they play only one format, are playing after the Champions Trophy final on the 9th of March. They are playing 19th of October… so once they start playing, then you assess as you go forward."

Agarkar also made a subtle but significant point that India is already looking at the future, and team management is preparing for a smooth transition when the time comes.

"They are not on trial. It’s not that if both of them don’t get runs this series, that’ll be the reason they won’t be there, or if they get three hundreds, that’ll be the reason they play 2027. It’s still a long way away. We’ll see how it all shapes up. We have some ideas, and as we go along, we’ll have a better idea of how the team is progressing," he added.

Agarkar sheds light on Kohli, Rohit’s legacy

While Ajit Agarkar praised Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their experience and contributions, he admitted that no player, regardless of stature, is “irreplaceable”. 

"You have legacy cricketers because they have built it for themselves with their performances. There’s not one team in the world that won’t want experience. It’s always got to be a balance between some of our youth or newer players and the senior players to guide them. You’d rather have the experienced players playing well. When you have been around for a while, you take pride in your performances."

At the same time, Agarkar stressed the importance of senior players in the dressing room.

"Like I said, they have created that legacy for themselves, and you treat them with that respect. Maybe some of the conversations you have with those players don’t come out, but you treat them with nothing but respect. You want them around the team, every year so many players make debut for India, you want the senior guys to be around to guide them."

For now, Agarkar’s message is clear that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain part of India’s plans, but the countdown to the next World Cup has already begun. Every performance from here on will quietly shape the roadmap for 2027.