With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having recently stepped away from Test cricket and already retired from T20 Internationals, all eyes are now on their potential availability for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. But for India’s new head coach Gautam Gambhir, that’s not a decision he’s ready to think about just yet.
Gambhir: 2027 still too far to plan for
Responding to a question about whether the legendary duo could still be part of the squad for the next 50-over World Cup, Gambhir made it clear that long-term speculation isn’t on his radar.
“Look, it’s still a long way away,” said Gambhir.
The tournament, scheduled for November-December 2027, coincides with the end of Gambhir’s own contract as head coach. But for now, his attention is squarely on nearer-term goals.
“We still have a T20 World Cup before that, and that is again a huge tournament that is going to happen in India, which is in February-March. So the entire focus at the moment, after England, will be on the T20 World Cup, and November-December 2027 is still two-and-a-half years away,” he told CNN-News18 in an exclusive interview
Kohli and Rohit’s retirement calls: “It comes from within”
Kohli concluded his Test career with a staggering 9,230 runs from 123 matches, averaging 46.85 with 30 centuries. Rohit, meanwhile, wrapped up his red-ball journey with 4,301 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries.
While their exits mark the end of an era in Indian cricket, Gambhir emphasized that such decisions are deeply personal.
“I think, when you start the game and when you want to finish, it’s a very individual decision. No one has the right. Be it the coach, the selector, be it anyone in this country has any right to tell someone when to retire and when not to retire. So it comes from within,” he said.
India faces transition but sees opportunity
As India prepares to tour England for a five-Test series without their two most experienced batters, Gambhir believes the transition also creates a stage for fresh faces.
“And yes, we’ve got to be without two senior players, two really experienced players. And sometimes I believe that it’s the opportunity for some other people to put their hand up and say, ‘Okay, I’m ready for it.’ So yes, it will be tough, but then there’ll be people putting their hand up for sure because this question was asked to me before, for the Champions Trophy as well. When Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t there and I said exactly the same thing, someone missing out might give another person an opportunity to do something special for the country. Hopefully, there’ll be other guys waiting for that opportunity,” Gambhir said.
Performance will be the deciding factor
While Gambhir refused to speculate on whether Kohli or Rohit will make it to 2027, he did stress that consistent performance will ultimately determine selection, not age.
“And I’ve always said one thing – if you keep performing, age is just a number,” he noted.
Final word
As India begins a new chapter with Gambhir at the helm, the focus remains on immediate goals like the upcoming T20 World Cup. Yet, the door isn’t shut on legends like Kohli and Rohit—provided they continue to deliver at the highest level. For now, the message from the coach is clear: performance first, speculation later.
