Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma actually play in the 2027 World Cup? Are they still part of the team management’s long-term plans? This million-dollar question has finally been answered clearly by India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.
Ahead of the second ODI between India and New Zealand in Rajkot, the Indian batting coach made it clear that both Kohli and Rohit remain very much part of Team India’s plans. He revealed that the duo is also in regular discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir about how India should plan for conditions in South Africa.
Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket. At present, they are focusing on just one format ODIs and are determined to succeed in it. Rohit’s intent to play the 2027 World Cup is evident from the extra emphasis he is placing on his fitness. Similarly, the way Virat carefully constructs each of his innings makes his ambitions equally clear.
Sitanshu Kotak also pointed out that Rohit is no longer the captain. However, when it comes to team planning, both Rohit and Virat continue to play extremely important roles. According to Kotak, from match strategy to decision-making in different situations, Rohit and Virat have a major influence.
On whether they are part of the World Cup roadmap, Kotak said, “Both of them have immense experience. They help the other players on the field. They also speak with coach Gambhir and with me. We regularly discuss team strategies for one-day cricket. We even talk about how our planning should be for the World Cup in South Africa.”
In other words, the ‘Ro-Ko’ duo is already moving forward with the World Cup in mind and head coach Gautam Gambhir is fully aware of it.
There has been widespread speculation in the media about a supposed strain in the relationship between coach Gambhir and the two senior stars. However, the Indian batting coach dismissed such claims, saying there is no real distance between them. “A lot of things appear on social media, and I don’t give them much importance. I am with them all the time, and I don’t think there is any problem between them,” Kotak added.
In short, Sitanshu Kotak made it unequivocally clear that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are very much part of India’s plans for the future, including the 2027 World Cup.
