Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma not automatic picks for 2027 ODI World Cup

India’s national selection panel has decided against resting Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, prioritising match practice and squad cohesion over workload management.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the selection committee held detailed discussions regarding the availability of the two senior batters. Although there were early considerations about resting them following a demanding Indian Premier League campaign, the panel eventually concluded that regular game time would be more beneficial, especially as both players are now active in only the ODI format at the international level.

The selectors also highlighted the importance of team bonding within a transitioning Indian side. The Afghanistan series is being viewed as a valuable opportunity for younger players in the squad to develop chemistry and understanding alongside the experienced duo. In addition, the series will allow the team management to closely assess the form and fitness of both Rohit and Kohli ahead of future assignments.

According to sources, with the next ODI World Cup still some distance away, the selection committee intends to keep the competition for places open. No player is considered a guaranteed selection or permanently out of contention, with future opportunities expected to depend entirely on performance, consistency, and fitness levels.

India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series during the first two weeks of June. The Test match is scheduled to begin in New Chandigarh on June 6, while the ODI series will be played across Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Chennai between June 14 and 20.

Recently, Kohli opened up about his future in international cricket, stating that he would not want to continue playing in an environment where he constantly had to prove himself. His remarks came amid ongoing discussions regarding the future of senior players and India’s long-term plans ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

India ODI squad for Afghanistan series:

Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey