It is very clear that former India captain Rohit Sharma is targeting the 2027 World Cup as his swansong from international cricket.
Aged 39, Rohit retired from Test cricket last year and T20Is a year before that. ODI cricket is the only international format he plays.
He has often spoken about how highly he values the ODI World Cup trophy, having missed out on lifting it in the home World Cup in 2023, when he led India remarkably to the final undefeated, but the Men in Blue were stunned by Australia in Ahmedabad.
India had unbeaten campaigns at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 under Rohit’s captaincy. Yet, he was replaced as captain by Shubman Gill, who is far younger than Rohit and is certain to play in the next ODI World Cup, which will roll on in October next year across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee removed Rohit as the captain last year because Rohit, with his age and fitness concerns, isn’t a guaranteed player for the 2027 World Cup squad.
I am sure Rohit Sharma’s focus will be on the 2027 World Cup: Wasim Jaffer
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer opined that while Rohit would definitely want to feature in the 2027 World Cup, the final call on his selection will be in the hands of the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
“I think Rohit Sharma is still playing and has made himself available. So I am sure his focus will be on the 2027 World Cup. From Rohit Sharma’s perspective, I don’t think there is any doubt about that. Now it depends on the coaches and selectors. But I think seeing Rohit Sharma still playing and making himself available since he is currently playing only this format, if he is playing, then I am sure his focus will be on the 2027 World Cup,” Jaffer said in his YouTube video.
After being removed as the ODI skipper, Rohit asserted his status further as an opener by hitting a fifty in Perth and a century in Sydney in the ODI series against Australia. Then he cracked two fifties in the three-ODI home series against South Africa to end 2025 on a high.
However, in 2026, he managed scores of 26, 24, and 11 in the ODI series against New Zealand in January and most recently scored 16 in the IND vs AFG 1st ODI in Dharamsala. Rohit was unfortunate to get run out against Afghanistan and would be looking to pile up at least one big score in the remaining two ODIs in this series. A bigger challenge awaits in England next month.
Jaffer admitted that Rohit’s recent form has been inconsistent, but the former skipper has plenty of credit in the bank given his experience.
“Rohit’s form is a bit indifferent at the moment, but as I said, we cannot question his credibility because of the experience he brings. Now it depends on what the selectors and coaches think. But Rohit Sharma’s experience and his temperament in big matches cannot be doubted.
“And if he is making himself available, I am sure he will not leave any stone unturned so that he can play the 2027 World Cup. His effort will be to lift that World Cup trophy, something he missed out on in 2023. So I am sure he is working towards that,” Jaffer added.
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