Gautam Gambhir pragmatic on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s 2027 World Cup chances

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has offered a pragmatic view on the prospects of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma featuring in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. He noted that the tournament is still over two years away and expressed hope that the veteran batters, along with the team, would deliver a strong performance in the upcoming series against Australia.

"They are quality players, and their experience will be invaluable. With the 2027 World Cup still 2.5 years away, it's important to stay focused on the present. Kohli and Rohit are both exceptional players, and their return will be a big boost. Hopefully, they have a successful tour, and more importantly, the team comes out with a strong series performance in Australia," Gambhir said in a post-match press conference.

Kohli and Rohit, who have defined India's white-ball cricket for nearly two decades, are set to walk out again in blue for the three-match ODI series against Australia starting on 19 October. Both have been preparing in isolation - Rohit following a strict fitness regime in Mumbai, reportedly shedding close to ten kilos, while Kohli has been fine-tuning his rhythm in London.