India head coach Gautam Gambhir has shared his views on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s potential participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Emphasising the importance of the present, Gambhir said that with the tournament still more than two years away, the focus should remain on performing well in the immediate fixtures.
“They are top-quality players, and their experience will be crucial. With the 2027 World Cup still over two years away, it’s important to concentrate on the present. Both Kohli and Rohit are outstanding players, and their return will be a significant advantage. I hope they have a successful tour, and more importantly, the team delivers a strong performance in the series against Australia,” Gambhir said.
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The veteran duo, who have been the backbone of India’s white-ball setup for nearly two decades, are set to return for the three-match ODI series against Australia beginning on 19 October. Rohit Sharma has been working on his fitness in Mumbai, reportedly shedding around ten kilos, while Kohli has been sharpening his batting skills in London.
Following India’s historic triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, both players retired from T20Is and later from Test cricket in May 2025, limiting their commitments to the 50-over format.
However, their biggest challenge heading into the Australia series will be age and match readiness, as neither has played competitive cricket since June. India will begin their ODI campaign against Australia in Perth on 20 October, followed by matches in Adelaide (23 October) and Sydney (25 October). The ODI leg will be followed by a five-match T20I series starting 29 October in Canberra.
