Former India stars divided over Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's 2027 World Cup future as debate intensifies: 'I take guarantee'

Conflicting voices have started to emerge in Indian cricket as the team begins preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Many expected Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to be out of contention, but the veteran batting stars have refused to give up so easily.

As a result, the inclusion of Rohit and Kohli has become a major talking point. Rohit Sharma will be 40 and Virat Kohli will be turning 39 during the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Indian cricket finds itself split on Ro-Ko

Some experts feel India need to drop at least one of the ageing stars to avoid a repeat of the 2023 World Cup, where India lost in the final after a poor batting performance, while a few feel the duo must be given all the backing they need due to their legendary status and match-winning capabilities.

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Amid the whole clamour, former India batter Mohammed Kaif has said that he is ready to "take the guarantee of" Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He is confident that Rohit, who recently struggled with a hamstring injury, will manage to play in the World Cup.

“I will take the guarantee of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Rohit is working on his fitness, he will push himself and somehow manage to play. Injury happens to everyone, even to youngsters. He has that passion, the temperament is seen in his batting. His batting as a captain and as a player is very different. The approach has changed. He is not pouncing on every ball," Kaif was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned why Yashasvi Jaiswal was dropped from the ODI squad for the England tour despite hitting two tons in his last three innings in the format. In many ways, he hinted that Jaiswal should have been included in place of opener Rohit.

“Yashasvi has scored two hundreds in his last three ODIs. He made 116 not out against South Africa, then after a gap scored four and a hundred. Anyone opening in India’s strong ODI side will get opportunities, and Yashasvi has made the most of them. So yes, it is unfortunate and a bit harsh,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

“If the selectors have picked Rohit, I hope it’s because they genuinely see him as part of the 2027 World Cup plans. Otherwise, that place should have gone to somebody else,” he added.

Manjrekar also asked the selectors to focus only on India's future and not on star players.

“We all know the culture around big-name players. Decisions are rarely as simple as judging on cricketing merit alone. That seems to be the case with Rohit too. If the selectors believe Rohit is part of the long-term plan, they should say so.

“But if he is being picked because they are not ready to move on from him, then it reflects a problem Indian cricket has had for years. Selection should never be about what’s best for Virat, Rohit or Bumrah. It should always be about what’s best for Indian cricket,” Manjrekar added.

The three-match ODI series between India and England will be played from 14 July.