India’s star cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have set their eyes on the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday advised the duo to concentrate on their present performance rather than future ambitions.
As the cricketing landscape evolves with Shubman Gill appointed as India’s ODI captain, national selectors mark a transitional phase in the 50-over format. Kohli and Rohit, who will be 39 and 40 years old respectively by the time the World Cup rolls around, now face crucial questions about their future roles within the squad.
Gambhir said, “The 50-over World Cup is still two and a half years away. It is very important to stay in the present. Obviously, they are quality players. Their experience will be valuable in Australia. Hopefully, both can have a successful tour, and more importantly, as a team, we can have a successful series.”
Sources indicate that their ultimate participation in the World Cup heavily relies on their performance in the upcoming nine ODIs. India will play three ODIs each against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand in the coming months.
In his debut year as head coach, Gambhir has introduced a strategic transition, focusing on discovering new talent while establishing a steady selection process. When questioned about what attributes he values for players entering the national setup, he responded:
“First and foremost, you look at talent. Then the work ethic. You look at the character in that dressing room—especially in red-ball cricket. You also see how hungry they are. If a player has all these attributes, he will have a successful Test career.”
Gambhir also emphasized that international cricket remains an “insecure environment” due to stiff competition for limited opportunities.
“It’s important to give players a longer run. Only 15 can represent the country at one time, but many are waiting for their turn. So, if you pick the right characters, give them time to prove themselves rather than chopping and changing,” he stated.
On the emotional dynamics of selection, Gambhir expressed his aversion to the term ‘dropping players’, stating:
“You don’t drop players, you only select players. When someone misses out, the least a coach can do is be empathetic, not ruthless.”
He continued to highlight the team’s ethical work during their England tour, saying: “The Test squad that went to England was superb in terms of discipline and hard work. For me, that was a huge tick.”
