‘He will have to work hard for…’ – Former India player shares his thoughts on Rohit Sharma's chances of playing 2027 ODI World Cup

Former India player Harbhajan Singh feels that It is too early to say if Rohit Sharma will play the next ODI World Cup in 2027. The 37-year-old ended all talks of potential retirement from the ODI format last Sunday after winning the Champions Trophy. India’s skipper himself also said that he is currently enjoying his game and wants to continue playing.  

CRICBUZZ recently reported that Rohit is keen to play the 2027 event which is to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The report also stated that India’s skipper is devising a special plan along with coach Abhishek Nayar to maintain his fitness. By the time the next ODI World Cup is played, Rohit will be 40-years-old. 

Speaking to ESPN CRICINFO, the former Indian spin legend said, “I feel that if anything is left for him to achieve is the 50-over World Cup. He would probably want to win but there is still two and a half years for that. That is way too far, he will have to see where his fitness is going, where his hunger is going. If he's still got it, he will have to work hard for it and if he works hard, he will play. So, is the case with Virat Kohli.”

Rohit set to be retain Test captaincy for England tour 

While India’s white-ball form has seen them pocket two world titles in a span of nine months, their Test form faces questions. Under Rohit’s captaincy, the team were whitewashed at home against New Zealand. They also lost the Border Gavaskar Trophy which ended their chances of playing a third successive WTC final. 

Indian express carried a report recently which said that Rohit is likely to retain his Test captaincy for the England series. Team India embark on a five-Test tour of England starting in June to kick-off their next WTC cycle. The report stated that Rohit still retains the trust of the board as a captain in the red ball format. 

One source speaking to the Indian Express said, “He has shown what he can do. Every stakeholder feels that he is the right candidate to lead the Indian side for the tour of England. Rohit too has expressed his eagerness to keep playing red-ball cricket.”

Yet another source while speaking to PTI said that Gautam Gambhir could take the final call on Rohit’s Test captaincy. “The blueprint for England series will be drawn at some point, but coach Gautam Gambhir’s view point (on Rohit as Test captain) will have a lot of weightage.”