Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not certainties for the 2027 ODI World Cup, says Sourav Ganguly

Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play in the 2027 ODI World Cup? Former India captain Sourav Ganguly says there’s no guarantee — and it won’t be easy for the recently retired Test stars.

Ganguly believes the journey demands more than desire. “It won't be easy. Fifteen games a year. I’ve got no advice. They know the game as well as I do and will decide for themselves,” he told PTI. “But like everyone, the game will eventually move on from them, and they will move on from the game.”

The World Cup is over two years away; by then, Kohli will be 39 and Rohit 40, making peak fitness a tough ask. Yet, stepping away from Tests and T20s may let them focus fully on ODIs.

India is scheduled for at least 27 ODIs before the tournament, with more likely after the Future Tours Programme is finalised. To fulfill their World Cup ambitions, Kohli and Rohit will likely need to play most of those matches.

Together, they have won two ICC Champions Trophy titles and a T20 World Cup. The ODI World Cup could complete their trophy cabinet and provide a fitting finale.

The IPL also helps keep them competitive, with 14 high-intensity matches each season maintaining their match readiness.

Despite retiring from Tests, both remain ODI forces. In the recent Champions Trophy, Kohli scored 218 runs at 54.80, including a century and a fifty, while Rohit scored 180, including a crucial 76 in the final.

At the 2023 World Cup in India, the duo dominated, guiding India to a runner-up finish. The 2027 South Africa World Cup presents tougher conditions, but upcoming series in Australia and New Zealand offer a chance to build momentum.

To lift the World Cup and end their careers on a high, Kohli and Rohit must summon every bit of motivation. If they do, a fairytale ending remains possible.