The vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, has made crucial comments on the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
In the lead-up to the next World Cup, there are concerns over these two batting legends’ futures, mostly because of their ages. Rohit Sharma is going to turn forty, while Virat Kohli will turn 38 in November.
Age factor running against Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
During the tenures of the head coach Gautam Gambhir and the chief selector Ajit Agarkar, the India National Cricket Team on multiple occasions shows their trust in fresh talent over experienced cricketers. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have already retired from Tests and T20Is, remaining active only in the One Day International format.
Age is obviously a factor in sports, and the fact is also undeniable that both of the veterans are nearing their retirements. But that remains an unsolved question. During India’s previous series against England, there were massive claims across media outlets; some, quoting sources, claimed Rohit Sharma could retire soon after the India vs England 3rd ODI match at Lord’s.
Rohit did not announce his retirement; instead, he smashed a blistering century in the high-scoring match. Since the century, there have been no circulating speculations around his or Virat Kohli’s retirement.
Rajeev Shukla has made a recent claim on the future of the two former India captains. According to Shukla, whether they will be selected for the 2027 ODI World Cup completely depends on the selectors’ call, but from his own point of view, both of the batters still have a lot to offer to the Indian cricket team.
“Only the selectors will decide that, but I feel Rohit and Kohli still have a lot of cricket left in them,” according to the ‘X’ post, Rajeev Shukla made this comment on Sports Yaari.
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla on Rohit & Kohli playing in the 2027 World Cup? [Sports Yaari]
“Only the selectors will decide that but I feel Rohit and Kohli still have a lot of cricket left in them”. pic.twitter.com/4bQ0lwpZrg
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 8, 2026
Rift between Ajit Agarkar and BCCI officials?
More than Virat Kohli, the retirement buzz was more around Sharma. According to a few previously published media reports, Sharma’s personal relationship with the head coach Gautam Gambhir and the chief selector Ajit Agarkar was not on good terms.
If the claims are to be believed, then ‘Hitman’ was originally not in the selectors’ plans for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Rohit himself might have learnt about the future planning of the selectors and the head coach. Yashasvi Jaiswal, a young opener, was supposed to be the replacement for Rohit Sharma ahead of the flagship event.
Things might have turned massively in after that, during India’s tour of England. While Ajit Agarkar was reportedly against the selection of Rohit Sharma, some of the top officials of the BCCI were in support of the opener.
BCCI recently held a meeting to review the team’s recent performances. Ajit Agarkar was expected to attend the meeting, but he remained absent. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later informed the media that Agarkar was not in town then.
