The recent retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket – announced just a week apart — have sent ripples through Indian cricket. However, their exit from the longest format has sparked speculation that the duo might be preserving themselves for one final shot at the 2027 ODI World Cup. While the tournament is still more than two years away, by then, Kohli will be 39 and Rohit 40, making it a significant challenge to maintain peak fitness. Yet, with no Test or T20I commitments occupying their calendar, there’s a possibility that they could channel all their focus into ODI cricket and aim for a grand finale to their storied careers.
Despite this hope, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed skepticism about their prospects. Ganguly believes that the road to the 2027 World Cup won’t be as simple as just stepping away from other formats. With at least 27 ODIs scheduled before the tournament – and likely more once the new FTP is released – both players would need to remain consistently active and competitive to be in contention. Ganguly noted that while Kohli and Rohit have already achieved significant milestones, including Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup wins, claiming the ODI World Cup title before bowing out would be the perfect send-off. However, he cautioned, “The game will go away from them and they will go away from the game,” emphasizing the natural end every athlete must face.
Although the IPL could help keep them match-ready — with its 14-game seasons and high-intensity environment — it won’t directly substitute for the rhythm and demands of 50-over cricket. Rohit’s fading form in Tests and Kohli’s recurring struggle with deliveries outside off-stump, particularly during the Australian tour where he was dismissed eight times in that manner, played into their decision to step away from red-ball cricket. While Kohli is just 36 and arguably had a couple more years left, the sheer volume of matches leading to the 2027 World Cup likely influenced his choice. Balancing both formats over the next two and a half years may have simply proven unsustainable for either of them.
