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No 2027 WC Guarantee for Kohli, Rohit; Gambhir Demands Performance for a Spot

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 2 days ago | Oct 14, 2025 12:16 pm IST
No 2027 WC Guarantee for Kohli, Rohit; Gambhir Demands Performance for a Spot

Gautam Gambhir’s Blunt Message to Kohli & Rohit: Your 2027 World Cup Spot Isn’t Guaranteed

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir just dropped a bombshell. On his 44th birthday, October 14, 2025, he made one thing crystal clear about the ODI future of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: nothing is guaranteed. Not even a spot in the 2027 World Cup.

Key Takeaways

  • Gautam Gambhir stated there’s no guarantee for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad.
  • He stressed the need to “stay in the present,” as the tournament is still 2.5 years away.
  • Performance and fitness will be the only criteria for selection.
  • Both Kohli and Rohit are returning to ODIs on October 19, 2025, against Australia after an eight-month hiatus.
  • Shubman Gill is the new ODI captain, marking a leadership shift.

‘Important to Stay in the Present’

Look, everyone’s wondering if we’ll see Kohli and Rohit lift the trophy in 2027. But Gambhir isn’t interested in nostalgia. When asked directly about their chances, he gave a classic no-nonsense reply. He said the World Cup is a long way off, and it’s crucial for everyone, including the star duo, to focus on the here and now.

His message was simple. Your past achievements are great, but your current performance and fitness are what will earn you a spot on the team. It’s a direct challenge to two of India’s greatest-ever players.

A United Front in Management

And here’s the thing, Gambhir isn’t alone in this thinking. His stance mirrors that of chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who also recently dodged questions about guaranteeing the veterans a World Cup berth. This shows a clear, united strategy from the top brass of Indian cricket. The era of automatic selections based on reputation might just be over.

This makes their upcoming return incredibly significant. After an eight-month break since the Champions Trophy win, Kohli and Rohit will be back in action for the three-match ODI series against Australia starting October 19. Talk about pressure, right? Every run and every catch will be scrutinized.

The Dawn of a New Era?

You can’t ignore the context here. Both legends have already retired from T20Is and Test cricket. ODIs are the only format they have left to represent India. At the same time, Shubman Gill has taken over as the ODI captain, fresh off leading the Test side to a 2-0 series whitewash against West Indies.

But honestly, Gambhir isn’t shutting the door completely. He acknowledged that Kohli and Rohit are still “quality players” whose experience could be invaluable for the younger squad members. It’s not a ‘no,’ but a ‘show me you still have it.’ So, what’s next? The series against Australia is now a must-watch. It’s not just a comeback; it’s an audition. Do you think they’ll prove they’re essential for the 2027 campaign? The whole country will be watching.