Gavaskar Doubts Rohit, Kohli Will Play 2027 World Cup; Endorses Bumrah as Test Captain
Mumbai: Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are unlikely to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup, despite widespread speculation following their retirement from Test cricket. In a candid conversation with Sports Today, Gavaskar emphasized that while both players remain monumental figures in Indian cricket, their chances of making the 2027 squad appear slim.
“No, I don’t think they will be playing,” Gavaskar said. “I’m being very honest… But who knows—in the next year or so, they strike a rich vein of form and keep scoring hundreds. Then, even God can’t drop them.”
Both Sharma and Kohli were pivotal in India’s Champions Trophy win earlier this year, but Gavaskar suggested their future will depend solely on form and selection committee assessments.
“They have been massive performers in this format. The question is whether they’ll still contribute at the level they used to. If the selectors believe they can, they’ll be there,” he noted.
Gavaskar also wasn’t surprised by the timing of their Test retirements, hinting that both stars may have had prior discussions with the selectors. He praised their decision to step away on their own terms.
“For both these wonderful, wonderful cricketers to go out on their own terms is what everybody wanted, and that’s what has happened,” he said.
The former India skipper commended chief selector Ajit Agarkar for guiding the transition effectively.
“You want to see the team move forward at pace. Sometimes, you have to take hard decisions—that’s what the game demands,” Gavaskar said.
Bumrah for Test Captain
Gavaskar also threw his weight behind pacer Jasprit Bumrah as India’s next Test captain, brushing aside concerns over his injury-prone past.
“For me, it’s got to be Bumrah,” he asserted. “If you make someone else the captain, they’ll keep pushing Bumrah for more overs. But if he’s the captain, he’ll know when to push and when to rest, managing his workload wisely.”
Gavaskar argued that Bumrah’s ability to self-regulate makes him a unique candidate for leadership, particularly in managing the demands of pace bowling in long-format cricket.
On Rohit’s Legacy
Reflecting on Rohit Sharma’s career, Gavaskar highlighted the opener’s carefree style and selfless play.
“Rohit always played for the joy of the game, not for personal milestones. He was content with a quick 60 or 70, taking risks even after settling in,” Gavaskar said. “That might have cost him a few centuries, but it’s also what made him so enjoyable to watch.”
(With PTI inputs)