Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were due to restart their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in mid-June, with a home series against Afghanistan the next major step. After returning to international cricket in the latter part of 2025 following a break, both batters quickly quieted doubts about whether they still belonged on the biggest stage. Yet even with the honours and an intimidating list of records behind them, their inclusion in India’s long-term plans has never been treated as automatic.
Quick facts
- Kohli and Rohit were set to resume World Cup build-up in mid-June through a home ODI series vs Afghanistan.
- The Afghanistan tour includes a three-match ODI series starting on June 13.
- Earlier in the cycle, Kohli made 616 runs in nine innings, including three centuries and three fifties, winning Player of the Series.
- Rohit made 409 runs, including one century and three fifties, and also earned Player of the Series.
- Kohli is reported to have been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
- Rohit’s availability remains uncertain after a hamstring injury suffered during IPL 2026; he is in the squad pending fitness clearance.
- If both miss out, India’s management is expected to use a long-discussed “Plan B” for the World Cup.
- Potential replacements mentioned include Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Devdutt Padikkal.
Across the stretch against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, Kohli and Rohit relied on runs rather than reassurance speeches. Kohli compiled 616 runs in nine innings, the highest output by an Indian in that span, landing three centuries and three fifties along the way. He also received the Player of the Series award for his impact.
Rohit’s contribution came in at 409 runs, finishing just behind Kohli in the aggregate. His tally included a century and three half-centuries, and he too was named Player of the Series for his performances.
Making a statement in domestic ODI cricket
With questions still lingering despite the international returns, both batters took an extra step by showing up in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Their comeback was marked by centuries in their respective matches, a pointed message that they could still deliver when the spotlight shifted back to the 50-over format.
Still, that was where the certainty ended for the moment. After the focus moved to the T20 World Cup and then the IPL, ODI cricket slipped down the priority list for a period, leaving the 50-over circuit quiet until now. With the 2027 World Cup a little over a year away, Kohli and Rohit were hoping the India-Afghanistan window would allow them to pick up their preparations again and build stronger credentials as the calendar returned to international ODI action.
The plan has been disrupted by injuries. Kohli has suffered a hamstring problem and has reportedly been ruled out. Rohit, meanwhile, remains in limbo after he also picked up a hamstring injury during IPL 2026, which restricted his appearances; he has been included in the ODI squad, but only subject to fitness clearance.
Should both senior batters miss the Afghanistan series, it would inevitably dim some of the shine around the matches. More significantly, it would mirror the situation that the BCCI and India’s team leadership had been quietly preparing for all along.
Ajit Agarkar had summed up that thinking when asked about Kohli and Rohit’s World Cup prospects last October, saying it would be “a bit silly” to treat them like they need constant trials if they are delivering at a high level—pointing out that one averages over 50 while the other is close to that mark. He also stressed that 2027 is far away and that both batters play a limited number of formats, implying that constant experimentation is not the right approach.
That message has been echoed repeatedly whenever Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir were asked about the pair’s future. In most of those conversations, the underlying issue has not been form so much as fitness. Their fitness concerns were criticised at the time, but the logic behind the caution is clear: with age comes a higher risk of injury, and it is difficult to make guarantees well in advance of a World Cup.
From a selection perspective, that cautious planning is unlikely to leave India scrambling if both Kohli and Rohit are ruled out officially. Instead, it could allow the team to activate the “Plan B” that has been discussed for some time.
Who could come in for Kohli and Rohit?
India’s selectors may already have options lined up. Ishan Kishan is back in the ODI mix after a strong run of form. The wicketkeeper-batter, fresh off T20 World Cup heroics and an impressive IPL season, could slot into the opening role if Rohit is not available. His ODI record is established, including the double century he scored against Bangladesh in 2022.
If Kishan is preferred at No. 3, Yashasvi Jaiswal could be explored as a specialist opener. His most recent ODI appearance came in December 2025, when he struck an unbeaten 116 against South Africa.
There is also Devdutt Padikkal as a third pathway into the XI. The left-hander is coming off a record-breaking Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, producing four centuries and a 91 to total 725 runs in nine innings at an average of 90.62. Like Kishan, Padikkal offers batting flexibility, with the ability to operate both at the top of the order and at No. 3.
