Explained: Why BCCI may still drop Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans

Shubman Gill's appointment as India's new ODI captain has signalled the start of a carefully planned transition under head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

The change, confirmed after months of internal discussions, is not a critique of Rohit Sharma's captaincy or Virat Kohli's batting mastery. Instead, it's a strategic move aimed at building a younger, future-ready core for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

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BCCI's long-term transition plan under Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar

According to a Times of India report, Gill's rise is part of a year-long roadmap designed to ensure a smooth handover of leadership duties. Gambhir and Agarkar began working on this transition soon after taking charge in mid-2024, prioritizing continuity and long-term balance across formats.

The duo reportedly wanted to avoid the uncertainty that surrounded previous transitions in Indian cricket.

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Sources told TOI that while Rohit and Kohli remain part of the immediate ODI setup (both will travel for the upcoming three-match series in Australia), future selections will be based strictly on form and fitness.

"It's about being prepared. Both Rohit and Virat are in their late 30s. The management doesn't want to be caught off guard if their form dips suddenly. The Champions Trophy win showed this team can perform without relying on superstars," a BCCI source was quoted as saying.

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Leadership structure and dressing-room culture shift

Another factor driving the change is India's evolving team culture. With the BCCI viewing Gill as a potential all-format captain, keeping Rohit in charge of ODIs - a format now played less frequently - could have created mixed leadership dynamics.

"A player of Rohit's stature leading only in one format would naturally bring his own philosophy into the dressing room. But consistency across formats is what the management is aiming for," the report quoted sources as saying.

With Gill’s elevation, the selectors have made it clear - no one is beyond accountability. The 2027 ODI World Cup might still be two years away, but the groundwork for India's next era has already begun.