Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli aren’t fading out anytime soon—they’re still pushing hard for a spot in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Age clearly isn’t slowing them down. Even with Kohli heading toward 39 and Rohit turning 40 when the tournament kicks off, you wouldn’t guess it from the way they’re playing. They’re keeping up with the younger players, both with the bat and in their fitness routines.
So, are the BCCI selectors really thinking about picking Virat and Rohit for the next ODI World Cup? Here’s what Ravichandran Ashwin had to say. He didn’t mince words. Ashwin told ESPNcricinfo, “Look, in my experience, it’s pretty simple—if the team management really wants them in South Africa for the 50-over World Cup, and everyone’s behind the idea, it’s absolutely possible. They’ll find a way to keep these two on the field and use their experience.”
“But if things start moving in a different direction,” Ashwin continued, “it’s not going to be easy for them. I’m not a doctor, I’m not an expert, so I can’t guarantee anything. Still, if the right rehab programs are there and the planning lines up with what they want—and the whole group is on board—they’ll find a way to be ready.”
For now, both are named in the ODI squad to face Afghanistan in the three-match series starting on June 13.
Here’s the full Indian squad for the Afghanistan ODIs: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, and Harsh Dubey.
