Recently, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been struggling with the bat, failing to maintain consistency. In search of runs, they even had to return to domestic cricket a few days ago. This has raised significant questions about their future after the Champions Trophy. However, much of that depends on them as well. With strong performances in the Champions Trophy, they might still dream of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
However, their performance in the first match of the Champions Trophy was not up to expectations. Kohli, in particular, faced criticism for his slow batting. Because of this, former legendary cricketer and coach Anil Kumble has advised current coach Gautam Gambhir to be strict with senior players.
Speaking in a discussion on ESPN Cricinfo, Anil Kumble said, “This tournament is very important for the coach (Gambhir) because he has to make tough decisions. The experienced players need to be replaced with new ones. But that is the coach’s job—he has to take tough decisions. Considering the significance of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Gambhir needs to think about the future of the ‘legacy players’ after this tournament.”
Kumble also explained what will determine the future of Rohit, Kohli, and other senior players, saying, “The outcome of this tournament will decide how long the senior players will stay in the team and how India will prepare for the future. Whether the team wins or loses, tough decisions must be made quickly.”
He further emphasized the need to start planning for the 2027 World Cup right away, saying, “In white-ball cricket, especially for the 2027 World Cup, planning should begin now. For any World Cup or major tournament, you need a squad that has played at least 20-25 matches together. That way, they develop a natural understanding of match situations and can determine who can be relied upon. Will the seniors still have a place there, or should we give opportunities to young players?”
