The Indian cricket team has begun its build-up for the 2027 World Cup with the announcement of the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia. In a clear shift in leadership strategy, the management has handed over the captaincy to Shubman Gill, with Shreyas Iyer appointed as his deputy. Rohit Sharma, who captained the side for four years after Virat Kohli, has been included in the squad, but notably not in a leadership role.

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With the emergence of dynamic stroke-makers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rohit's place in the final World Cup squad is anything but certain. By the time the 2027 tournament begins, he will be over 40 years old, and age, fitness and form will all be closely scrutinised. The selectors appear to be shifting towards a younger core, and even a player of Rohit’s stature will need to prove his worth to stay in the mix.

Virat Kohli, meanwhile, finds himself in a slightly different but equally delicate situation. Despite an outstanding revival in ODI cricket over the past two years — including top-class performances in the 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy — his future too is under a cloud of uncertainty. Kohli has retired from two formats and hasn't been active in the domestic circuit. While his pedigree is unquestionable and his ODI form has remained consistent, questions are being raised about whether past records alone will be enough to secure him a place in the 2027 World Cup squad.

The BCCI has made its stance clear — players must prove their commitment by participating in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and other