Boria Majumdar
Much is being said about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and whether they will feature in the 50-over World Cup in 2027. First things first, it is not an entitlement for anyone. Even if they are Rohit and Kohli. If they are to be part of it, they need to be hungry and earn their right to be there. It is all about performance in the end, and if they perform, there is no way they can be denied a place.
In the last event they participated in, Rohit led India to a Champions Trophy triumph. Also, he played a brilliant hand in the final. Kohli too had a very good tournament. On the basis of performance, and that’s the only yardstick, neither can be overlooked for the Australia tour. And that’s what it will come down to. How are the two of them shaping up? Are they still as hungry? After the Australia tour, are they willing to push their bodies to go through the grind and stay in shape for the ODIs scheduled for 2026?
With the two no longer a part of the Test team or the T20 set up, their chances to play international cricket are few and far between. That’s where the problem lies. Prolonged periods away from the game can’t be good for anyone. The option therefore is simple. They will both have to play domestic cricket to keep themselves in shape. Play the domestic 50-over tournament, score runs and continue playing for India. It is the hunger to do so that will decide the way forward for both these stalwarts.
Personally speaking, I’d like to see the hunger. Rohit, for example, hasn’t won the 50-over World Cup. He missed out in 2011, came close in 2015 and 2019, while 2023 saw final heartbreak. It is the one trophy that is missing from his cabinet. It will depend entirely on whether his body is ready to do the hard yards for the next two years. The rigours of international cricket demand a lot, and with the talent pool India has, Rohit will have to do much to stay ahead of the curve. While I’d like him to do so, it will be a difficult personal choice.
For Kohli too, 2027 could be the perfect swansong. While he has a 50-over title under his belt from 2011, to bow out without a bang wouldn’t be fitting for one of the best of our times. While sport can be cruel at times, the truth is Kohli is fit enough to push the bar. His IPL efforts, for example, indicate that he can. Whether or not he has the hunger could well determine how much he wants to push.
For the moment, all eyes will be on the white-ball series in Australia in October. An otherwise not-so-important series will now assume the mantle of a hugely significant one, with both Kohli and Rohit expected to be part of the team that travels down under. Could it be their last tour? Will we see them beyond Australia? October 25 at the SCG could be quite an occasion.
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