Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma not automatic choices for 2027 ODI World Cup: Sources
Ajit Agarkar and his selection panel deliberated resting Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the upcoming three-match ODI series. With the ODI World Cup more than a year away, selection will be based on consistent performances, sources said.
India’s national selection panel decided against resting Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, prioritising match time and squad cohesion over workload management, India Today has learnt.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his selection panel held a detailed discussion regarding the veterans' availability. While initial talks leaned toward giving both players a breather following their workload in the IPL 2026 season, the committee ultimately decided that game time was more crucial since both now feature in only one international format.
India will play a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series against a visiting Afghanistan side in the first two weeks of June. While the Test gets underway in New Chandigarh on June 6, the ODI series will be played in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai between June 14 and 20.
Furthermore, the selectors emphasised team bonding, viewing the series as an ideal opportunity for a transitioning squad’s younger players to gel around the two stalwarts. The matches will also allow the team management to monitor the performance and fitness levels of both senior batters.
A team source stated that with the next ODI World Cup still far away, the doors remain open for the entire player pool. No player is permanently included or excluded from the setup, and selection will strictly depend on individual form and fitness moving forward.
Only recently, Virat Kohli had spoken about his future in international cricket, making it clear that he would not want to continue in an environment where he was constantly being made to prove his worth.
“My perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment that I am a part of and the environment feels like I can add value, I will be seen. If I am made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I'm not in that space. Because I am being honest to my preparation,” Kohli said in one of the latest episodes of RCB Podcast.
“I am being honest to how I approach the game. I put my head down. I work hard. I am very thankful to God for giving me everything that I have been given in my cricketing career. And I feel very blessed and grateful for the opportunity. And when I arrive to play, I put my head down.”
WHY ISHAN KISHAN?
The most intense debate during the selection meeting centered on the middle-order and wicketkeeping slots, specifically involving Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson.
The panel ultimately selected Ishan, backing his ODI track record and temperament. Selectors explicitly highlighted his power-hitting ability, noting that his aggressive style could become a vital asset on the bounce-heavy tracks of South Africa during the next World Cup should he be called upon to play. Meanwhile, Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad remain firmly in the selectors' plans, with the panel clarifying that both are at the front of the queue for the team’s next international assignments.
INDIA ODI SQUAD FOR AFGHANISTAN SERIES
Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.
India’s national selection panel decided against resting Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, prioritising match time and squad cohesion over workload management, India Today has learnt.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his selection panel held a detailed discussion regarding the veterans' availability. While initial talks leaned toward giving both players a breather following their workload in the IPL 2026 season, the committee ultimately decided that game time was more crucial since both now feature in only one international format.
India will play a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series against a visiting Afghanistan side in the first two weeks of June. While the Test gets underway in New Chandigarh on June 6, the ODI series will be played in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai between June 14 and 20.
Furthermore, the selectors emphasised team bonding, viewing the series as an ideal opportunity for a transitioning squad’s younger players to gel around the two stalwarts. The matches will also allow the team management to monitor the performance and fitness levels of both senior batters.
A team source stated that with the next ODI World Cup still far away, the doors remain open for the entire player pool. No player is permanently included or excluded from the setup, and selection will strictly depend on individual form and fitness moving forward.
Only recently, Virat Kohli had spoken about his future in international cricket, making it clear that he would not want to continue in an environment where he was constantly being made to prove his worth.
“My perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment that I am a part of and the environment feels like I can add value, I will be seen. If I am made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I'm not in that space. Because I am being honest to my preparation,” Kohli said in one of the latest episodes of RCB Podcast.
“I am being honest to how I approach the game. I put my head down. I work hard. I am very thankful to God for giving me everything that I have been given in my cricketing career. And I feel very blessed and grateful for the opportunity. And when I arrive to play, I put my head down.”
WHY ISHAN KISHAN?
The most intense debate during the selection meeting centered on the middle-order and wicketkeeping slots, specifically involving Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson.
The panel ultimately selected Ishan, backing his ODI track record and temperament. Selectors explicitly highlighted his power-hitting ability, noting that his aggressive style could become a vital asset on the bounce-heavy tracks of South Africa during the next World Cup should he be called upon to play. Meanwhile, Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad remain firmly in the selectors' plans, with the panel clarifying that both are at the front of the queue for the team’s next international assignments.
INDIA ODI SQUAD FOR AFGHANISTAN SERIES
Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.
