Rohit Sharma last represented India in March during the ICC Champions Trophy. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed concern that Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most celebrated leaders, might miss the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 after being replaced as ODI captain by Shubman Gill.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed this significant change while announcing the Indian squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series in Australia. Rohit had captained India in the last ODI tournament, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which India won.
Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India reached the finals of four major ICC events: the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and ICC T20 World Cup 2024. He led India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025, while finishing as runner-up to Australia in both the WTC final and the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
Sunil Gavaskar Questions Rohit Sharma’s Chances for ICC World Cup 2027
With an eye on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, the selectors have handed over the leadership reins to Shubman Gill, sparking debate across the cricketing world. While some see it as the dawn of a new era, others consider it an abrupt end to a brilliant chapter.
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed support for the leadership change, suggesting that if Rohit Sharma is unlikely to feature in the 2027 World Cup, it makes sense to groom a new captain for the event.
“We don’t know whether Rohit Sharma will be ready for the 2027 World Cup. He only plays ODIs now, and if we look at the international calendar, India isn’t playing too many ODIs. Most bilateral tours feature Tests and T20Is. If he only plays 5–7 ODIs a year, he won’t get the practice needed for a major tournament like the World Cup. If his place in the team isn’t certain, preparing Shubman Gill was the logical decision,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
“Rohit has done a lot for Indian cricket—winning the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup. There’s no doubt about his captaincy credentials. But even he agrees with this decision because planning two years ahead requires giving a young captain time to develop. That’s the thought process the selection committee followed,” he added.
Rohit Sharma’s ODI record speaks volumes: 273 matches, 11,168 runs at an average of 48.76, including 32 centuries and 58 fifties, with a strike rate of 92.80. His highest score of 264 makes him the only batter to have hit three double-centuries in ODIs.
Gavaskar Warns of More Uncertain News
Gavaskar also voiced concerns over the fitness and form of veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who recently returned for the Australia ODI series. He suggested that staying match-ready for a major event like the World Cup would require participation in domestic tournaments.
“Of course, if you remain non-committal about your availability for the next two years, fans should be prepared for more uncertain news. ODIs are rare in the current calendar, so players need extra practice through tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This may explain the cautious stance of these senior players,” Gavaskar explained.
