EXPLAINED: Rohit and Virat Fresh ODI Retirement Rumours Before WC 2027

Rumours surrounding the immediate national team future of veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue to gain widespread attention. Both cricketers retired from T20I cricket in 2024 and Test cricket in May 2025 but are yet to exit 50-over cricket.

Some reports suggest that Virat and Rohit have their sights set on taking part in the 2027 ODI World Cup before retiring. However, fresh questions continue to arise regarding the age and match fitness of both players when the World Cup comes around in 2027.

Let’s see what the talking points are, and how India could line up with both stars at the 50-over World Cup in 20+ months’ time.

Why Fresh Kohli and Sharma ODI Retirement Rumours Continue to Gain Attention

Selectors’ pivot towards present player form over previous records

Recent indications suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee presently favours current player form over established records while shortlisting squads. The form of Sharma and Kohli in franchise cricket could determine if they get to take part in the next World Cup.

Youth-focused selection

Some unconfirmed reports claimed Virat and Rohit retired from Test cricket in May 2025 over leadership selection issues with BCCI officials. Rohit stepped down as Test captain before retiring from the format while several reports claimed the BCCI’s decision to not appoint Kohli as skipper forced him into retirement.

The BCCI currently has 25-year-old Shubman Gill as Test skipper with Suryakumar Yadav (34) leading the T20I squad. Selectors may advise Virat and Rohit to retire if their current policy holds weight ahead of the World Cup.

How Will India’s ODI Team Line Up with Virat and Sharma in the Squad?

The predicted playing XI for India in upcoming ODIs may rely on the following players:

• Rohit Sharma (Opener), Yashasvi Jaiswal (Opener),
• Virat Kohli (No. 3), Shubman Gill (No. 4),
• Shreyas Iyer (No. 5), Hardik Pandya (No. 6),
• Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper-batter), Axar Patel (Left-arm spin all-rounder),
• Kuldeep Yadav (Left-arm wrist-spin), Jasprit Bumrah (Lead fast bowler),
• Arshdeep Singh (Left-arm fast-medium).

What Will Selectors Consider Before Finalising ODI Squad List and Playing XI?

Player availability

The BCCI selector committee will likely consider the immediate availability of players like Rohit and Virat before coming up with a final squad list. Selectors may look at the present form of players, their rest profile, and other factors to ensure they are ready to represent India in 50-over cricket.

Any player that fails to meet set standards can get easily replaced by other options like Shreyas Iyer or Shubman Gill.

Rishabh Pant’s fitness

Pant has to deal with a broken toe fracture he sustained while representing India against England in July 2025. The wicketkeeper-batter’s fitness update could determine if he will be a part of India’s final ODI squad for the 2027 World Cup. Pant may replace other star players like Jitesh Sharma or Sanju Samson if he gets fit ahead of a busy 50-over schedule.

Workload management

Fans were left upset over continuous workload management options handed to veteran pacer Jasprit Bumrah during India’s Test series against England. Bumrah has been prone to injury for several months now and could be left out entirely from India’s ODI plans.

However, his fitness profile may improve in the future and could inform selectors to drop extreme workload management. Bumrah’s likely absence from ODI cricket for India will pave the way for players like Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, or another versatile player to shine in 50-over games.

India’s Upcoming ODI Schedule

The ongoing debate over Virat and Rohit’s potential retirement from 50-over cricket comes at a time when India has a packed calendar in the format. Several ODI tours and hosted events are set to take place from mid-August 2025 with three (3) separate series planned within the year alone.

Let’s see some of the scheduled games both cricketers may play in if they manage to stay on in the 50-over squad: