Ajit Agarkar, the top selector for the Indian men’s team, has spoken about how the management plans to handle the future of the iconic tandem of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the 2027 ODI World Cup approaches.
Rohit and Kohli will be back in India colours for the next three-match ODI series against Australia Down Under.
Agarkar reiterated the two’s inclusion in the squad against Australia, as well as their previous performances. However, it appeared that he was opposed to handing any player a long rope, let alone Rohit and Kohli.
“They’re a part of the squad at the moment for Australia. Like I said (previously), they’ve been incredible players for a long period of time. It’s probably not the forum to keep harping on individuals because you want to try and focus on the team and what the team wants to achieve. In two years’ time, we don’t know what the situation is going to be. So, why just them? It could be two younger players,” stated Agarkar while speaking at NDTV World Summit 2025.
However, the former India pace bowler was clear that the veteran duo will not be judged in any extreme manner, regardless of how they perform in the matches to follow, given what they have already achieved over the years for the Men in Blue.
“When one guy’s average is over 50 and one averages close to 50, you’re not going to put them on trials for every game. 2027 is a long way away. Both of them play one format. They’re playing cricket directly after the Champions Trophy final. Once they start playing, then you assess when they go forward, they’re not on trials,” he added.
The selection committee chief summed up by pointing to the team combination and what the management feels is right as the mega event in 2027 comes closer.
“They’ve achieved all they had to achieve in terms of not just winning trophies but runs. So, it’s not that if both of them don’t get runs in this series, they won’t be there and if they score 300, they’ll be there in 2027. It’s still a long way away, we’ll see how the team shapes up. As we go along, we’ll probably have an idea on where the team is progressing,” concluded Agarkar.
India will take on the Aussies for three ODIs, which will be followed by five 20-over matches. Rohit and Kohli, having retired from T20Is and Tests, will only participate in the ODI series.
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