India head coach Gautam Gambhir backs Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to play at ICC Cricket World Cup 2027

Gautam Gambhir said Rohit and Virat are world-class players and any team would love to have them for as long as possible.

Newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed veteran cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. After lifting the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from T20I cricket on June 29. However, the duo will continue to represent India in the other two formats of the game.

After winning the T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian cricket team’s first major assignment will be a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, where they will play three T20Is and three ODIs. The T20I series will be played from July 27 to July 30, while the ODIs will be played from August 2 to 7.

The BCCI announced two different squads for the upcoming exciting series against the Island Nation. Star batter Suryakumar Yadav was named as the T20I skipper, whereas Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the ODI side. Youngster Shubman Gill has been named as vice-captain of both sides for the upcoming white-ball tour.

Gautam Gambhir wants Kohli and Rohit to play ODI World Cup 2027

As Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20Is and India were supposed to play only three ODIs in their tour of Sri Lanka, many expected that both the veteran Indian cricketers would get an extended rest and miss the ODI series.

However, with this series being new coach Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment and not many ODIs left before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the selectors included both Rohit and Virat for the ODI series.

Ahead of the Indian cricket team’s departure for Sri Lanka, newly appointed head coach Gambhir expressed that he wants both Kohli and Rohit to play for as long as possible and if they remain fit till 2027, they should play the ODI World Cup 2027 as well.

Gambhir backed Sharma and Kohli and said they are very clear-minded people and will be motivated enough to perform in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the big tour of Australia later this year.

“I think they have shown what they can deliver on the big stage, whether it’s the T20 World Cup or the 50-over World Cup as well,” Gambhir said. “One thing I can be very clear of is that both those guys have a lot of cricket left in them. More importantly, with the Champions Trophy [in 2025] and a big tour of Australia [in November 2024], obviously they would be motivated enough. And then, hopefully, if they can keep their fitness, the 2027 [ODI] World Cup as well,” Gambhir said during the press conference ahead of Sri Lanka series.

“But this is a very personal decision. I can’t say how much cricket is left in them. Ultimately, it’s up to them as well, it’s up to the players. How much can they contribute to the team’s success. Because, ultimately, it’s the team that is important,” Gambhir added.

Indian cricket team head coach Gambhir further said that the Rohit-Kohli duo are world-class cricketers, and any team would want to have both stalwarts in the team as long as possible.

“But looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver, I think they still have a lot of cricket [left to play]. They’re still world-class players and obviously any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible,” Gambhir said.

India’s tour of Sri Lanka 2024: Full schedule and timings

Three-match T20I series:

July 27: First T20I, 7:00 PM IST

July 28: Second T20I, 7:00 PM IST

July 30: Third T20I, 7:00 PM IST

Three-match ODI series:

August 2: First ODI, 2:30 PM IST

August 4: Second ODI, 2:30 PM IST

August 7: Third ODI, 2:30 PM IST

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