DRS: Should Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue until 2027 World Cup?

Should Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue until the 2027 World Cup? Their Champions Trophy triumph has quietened critics, but the question lingers. In the latest edition of India Today's Democratic Review System, we discuss whether the two greats should carry on in one-dayers.

In Short

• Rohit Sharma made it clear he is not retiring from one-day cricket
• Rohit, however, said he was not sure of his plans for the 2027 World Cup
• Virat Kohli is likely to be an integral part of India's ODI future

Rohit Sharma had an X-rated message for his critics after India's Champions Trophy triumph, making it clear he had no plans to retire from one-dayers anytime soon.

Rohit's leadership and Kohli's batting masterclass were instrumental in India's success, reaffirming their value in a team under pressure to deliver. Yet, with the 2027 ODI World Cup just two years away, can they sustain their form and fitness?

Age is a factor-Rohit turns 38 this year, and Kohli is 36. While Kohli's supreme fitness suggests he could carry on, Rohit's inconsistent form raises doubts about his long-term place in the side. The Champions Trophy win may have bought them time, but as Indian cricket looks ahead, will these two legends still be central to the team's plans, or will the next generation take over before 2027?

While Rohit confidently dismissed retirement rumours, he admitted he was unsure about his plans for the 2027 World Cup, saying he wasn’t looking too far ahead.

In the latest episode of Democratic Review System, an opinion-based column, sports reporters, producers and writers from the India Today Group share their thoughts.

Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

1. Harshit Ahuja

Rohit Sharma is one trophy short of completing the white ball ICC set and his desire to lead India in the 2027 World Cup needs no more justification. If there were questions over his credentials, both as captain and batter, then they have been answered in Dubai. In Rohit, India have a captain that knows how to win trophies. On the other side, Virat's insatiable appetite for runs and elite fitness make him a no brainer for the marquee tournament. The team wanted to do it for Sachin in 2011, they'd want to do the same for these two in 2027.

2. Biswa Mohan Mishra

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are pillars of the team, without whom reaching a major goal would not be easy. At present, there are no alternatives to Rohit and Virat yet discussions continue to dominate about how long these legends will play. Age and fitness certainly make one think in this direction.

With only two years left until the 2027 ODI World Cup, both players have a golden opportunity to claim the title 16 years after India's last triumph. Team India came close in 2023 but fell short at the final hurdle-something captain Rohit surely hasn't forgotten. As for Virat, his current fitness will not let him walk away from the game anytime soon.

3. Siddharth Viswanathan

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory by India has ushered in a golden era when one looks at white-ball cricket. In the span of nine months, India have dominated ICC events under Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli has also dominated in the ODI set-up, as witnessed by the ODI World Cup 2023 exploits and the Champions Trophy success in 2025. With Rohit firing as captain and Virat in top form in ODIs, the one thing that the legends would want is the ODI World Cup of 2027. For Rohit Sharma, the World Cup triumph is the one thing that should motivate him for greater success. For Virat, ODIs is his engine room and there has never been a reason to drop Virat Kohli from the ODI set-up. When captain is leading from the front and one of India's best players is doing so well, it is obvious that both will play the 2027 ODI World Cup. As there was the trend in the WWE when Cody Rhodes was becoming the champion, the tagline was 'finish the story'. For Virat and Rohit, they would want to finish their story in 2027 and cement their legacy as one of the best in the business.

4. Kingshuk Kusari

While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have had great memories in white-ball cricket in the recent past, we should not forget their age while discussing 2027. Rohit is 37 and Virat is 36, and playing in the pacey and bouncy surfaces of South Africa could prove to be a real challenge for both batters closer to 40.

Virat at least has a host of skills to counter the same and churn out runs under pressure, but I do not think that Rohit will have the required fitness or reflex to bat like he does in 2027.

If India are to transition, they should think at least a year and a half in advance and consistently give chances to next generation stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma.

5. Siddharth Gulati

After winning two ICC trophies as captain, Rohit Sharma has made a strong case to continue until 2027. As a batter, he doesn't need the big scores. All that the team needs is consistent, and fiery starts from their skipper. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, is an ODI great. His fitness, coupled with his form, means that India needs him more than ever to overcome the heartbreak of 2023.

6. Shribabu Gupta

In terms of age, Rohit Sharma will turn 38 on 30 April this year, while Virat Kohli is currently 36. Given this, Rohit's participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup seems uncertain. When it comes to fitness, Kohli appears to have the edge.

Although Rohit scored 76 runs in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, his overall poor form throughout the tournament remained a concern. The same was the case in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In contrast, Kohli amassed 218 runs in the Champions Trophy, including a century, proving his form.

Considering all these factors, Kohli's journey to the 2027 ODI World Cup appears more promising, while Rohit seems to be falling behind.

7. Akshay Ramesh

I don't think there is any real doubt about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's participation in the 2027 World Cup. Yes, Rohit will need to find ways to stay in tune with the game if he is not part of the Test team during the 2025-27 cycle. However, with both having retired from T20Is, they have ample time to focus on bilateral series in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup.

Virat Kohli looks like a certainty for the marquee tournament in South Africa, and if Rohit is willing to put in the hard work, there is no reason he shouldn't be picked. Given the transformative effect he has had on India's one-day game with his much-talked-about selfless approach, Rohit deserves the right to decide his own future. The visionary and the vision should carry on until the 2027 World Cup.