Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has weighed in on the ongoing debate about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future in India's ODI squad for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
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Both Rohit and Virat, who have retired from Tests and T20Is, have been named in India's 50-over squad for the tour to Australia starting on October 19th.
Gautam Gambhir wishes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli a successful Australia tour
Talking to the press after the West Indies Tests and ahead of India's tour to Australia, Gambhir was asked about the team's plans for Rohit and Kohli in the ODI World Cup in 2027.
The Indian head coach stressed that the team's focus is on the present and that he cannot speculate too much about the future.
"The World Cup is two and a half years away, we have to stay in the present. Hopefully, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have a successful Australia tour," said Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir said, “the World Cup is two and a half years away, we have to stay in the present. Hopefully Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have a successful Australia tour”. pic.twitter.com/qEcKsXgIgz
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 14, 2025
Rohit and Virat have been crucial to Team India's success in the fifty-over format lately. The duo helped India win the Champions Trophy earlier this year and played a crucial role in taking the side to the Finals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
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While their form isn't a concern, the duo only features in the ODI format and plays a limited number of games. Additionally, they are in their late 30s, which also raises questions over their match fitness and longevity.
When will Rohit and Virat play for India next?
Virat and Rohit, who featured for India at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in March this year, will finally make the much-awaited comeback for India in the upcoming series against Australia.
The three-match ODI series commences on October 19th in Perth and will be followed by the second and third games on October 22nd and October 25th, respectively.
When is the India vs Australia ODI series? Full Schedule and Date
The India vs. Australia ODI series will commence on Sunday, October 19th. The two sides will play three games in total, which will serve as good preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Match | Date | Time | Venue |
India vs Australia 1st ODI | October 19 | 9:00 AM IST | Perth |
India vs Australia 2nd ODI | October 23 | 9:00 AM IST | Adelaide |
India vs Australia 3rd ODI | October 25 | 9:00 AM IST | Sydney |