India’s ODI future hinges on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill makes it loud and clear

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s roles in India’s upcoming squads have been a subject of much discussion, and Shubman Gill has now chimed in. Just before the second Test against West Indies, Gill emphasized their vast experience, knack for winning games, and their impact on the younger generation. However, uncertainties linger: will India’s veterans make it to the 2027 ODI World Cup, or is the team gearing up to move forward without them?

What Shubman Gill Said About Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Shubman Gill talked about the rumors regarding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during a pre-match press conference at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on October 9, 2025, before the second Test against West Indies. While speaking to the media, Gill highlighted the immense experience and game-changing contributions of both players.

He stated, “The experience and skill that Rohit and Virat have — very few players possess them. Very few have helped India win as many matches as they both have. To have that kind of skill, quality, and experience — I think very few players in the world have that.” Gill added, “They are very much in the mix for the ODI World Cup 2027.”

In similar remarks, he said, “The experience that they have and the matches they have won for India are really valuable. Very few players provide this skill and experience. They are definitely in the mix.” And, “Rohit and Kohli have won India a lot of matches, they have the quality and skill. They are surely there in the mix for next World Cup.”

Gill also shared personal insights, noting qualities he inherited from Sharma, “And the qualities, there are so many qualities that I have inherited from Rohit (Sharma) bhai. The calmness that he poses and the kind of friendship that he has among the group, which is something that I aspire to and want to. These are the qualities that I want to take from him.” He stated that both ex-captains will back him up in his ODI debut series.

Aaron Finch backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their experience and team calmness

This shift has stirred up discussions among cricket greats. Ravichandran Ashwin, a former spinner, expressed his views on his YouTube channel, endorsing the BCCI’s long-term vision while recommending that Sharma and Kohli engage in domestic cricket, like the Vijay Hazare Trophy, to demonstrate their commitment and stay in form for the 2027 World Cup.

Ashwin said, “There is nothing debatable to speak about Rohit’s captaincy. But is he the direction for the 2027 World Cup? That will be the question asked by the selection committee and the coach. They obviously had a discussion, and two things might have emerged: one, Kohli and Rohit are not in our 2027 World Cup plans; two, if they are indeed included, can they maintain their form until the ICC tournament in 2027? Both are big questions.”

He further urged, “If you need their services, you have to find a way… you must give them the opportunity. If you have given them the chance and they said no, then it is clear. If the selector or the coach has told you that I want you to play this series, not for selection purposes, but only to get into the rhythm. It is only to show that they are serious about playing.”

*AARON FINCH ON VIRAT KOHLI & ROHIT SHARMA FOR 2027 WORLD CUP:*

– _”As a Cricket Lover you want to see these guys playing as much as you can. And i think also for Shubman Gill, they’ll be a great sounding board for him to continue to learn off. Just having those guys in the… pic.twitter.com/NgjU3nQ7yh

— HitmanThalaVibes (@CricHitmanThala) October 5, 2025

Aaron Finch also endorsed their inclusion during an ICC interview, “As a Cricket Lover you want to see these guys playing as much as you can. And I think also for Shubman Gill, they’ll be a great sounding board for him to continue to learn off. Just having those guys in the team, there will be a real calmness in the team in such big events. They are huge part of Indian Cricket, their experience is crucial both on & off the field.”

Agarkar was vague about whether they would participate in 2027, choosing to emphasize the larger preparations. The Australia squad is missing some key players: Jasprit Bumrah (resting for workload management), Hardik Pandya (with a quadriceps injury), and Rishabh Pant (who has a foot fracture), while KL Rahul is selected for his continuity.

The strategy for India’s ODI revolves around assembling a squad geared up to take the 2027 tournament by storm. Gill expressed his vision in a BCCI video released on October 4, 2025, “I think we have about 20 ODIs before we play the World Cup. The ultimate goal is the World Cup in South Africa. Everything we play now — every player we try — is to ensure we’re fully ready to win that World Cup.”

The team is focused on making a smooth transition, learning from the past with legends such as MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar. With Sharma and Kohli still on board for the Australia series, their fitness and form will be closely observed, while up-and-comers like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma are poised to take their chance. This method is designed to keep the team competitive without losing their momentum.