Cricket November 7, 2026 By t20cricinfo.com

Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Play the 2027 World Cup? What the Evidence Says

It is the question every Indian fan is asking. Here is a clear, evidence-first look at whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be at the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.

Quick answer

On current evidence, yes, both are on track. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are still in India’s ODI squad. Kohli scored an unbeaten hundred and Rohit scored a hundred and a 92 against West Indies in September–October 2026, and captain Shubman Gill publicly backed both for the World Cup. Nothing is confirmed, though. Fitness and form over the next year will decide it.

Where things stand (November 2026)

Formats: both retired from T20 internationals after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, and from Test cricket in May 2025. ODIs are now their only international format.
Captaincy: Shubman Gill replaced Rohit as ODI captain in October 2025. Rohit plays as an opener.
Age at the World Cup: Rohit (born 30 April 1987) will be 40. Kohli (born 5 November 1988) will be 38 at the start and turn 39 during the tournament.
Latest form: against West Indies in 2026, Kohli made an unbeaten century in the first ODI. Rohit made a century in the second and 92 in the third.

What Shubman Gill said

After the third ODI against West Indies on 3 October 2026, Gill said both had been batting “really well” and argued that India do not have much time left to experiment before the World Cup. In plain terms, the captain wants his World Cup combination settled, and he sees Rohit and Kohli in it.

The case for both going

They are still India’s best ODI batters. Hundreds in late 2026 are hard to argue with.
Experience in South Africa. Both have toured South Africa many times. Bounce and pace are not new to them.
Big-match record. Kohli was Player of the Tournament at the 2023 World Cup with 765 runs, the most ever at a single World Cup.
The captain wants them. Selection is never only about the captain, but his backing matters.

What could still stop them

Match fitness. With only ODIs to play, they will have long gaps between international games. Staying sharp is harder at 39 and 40.
Fielding. Selectors and coaches have been open about wanting a fit, athletic fielding side.
Younger openers. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are pushing hard. A slump in 2027 would open the door.
Injury. One badly timed injury in mid-2027 could end it.

Our take

Kohli’s place looks safer than Rohit’s, simply because a No. 3 who anchors is easier to fit in than a 40-year-old opener in a powerplay that now asks for fast scoring. But Rohit’s 2026 numbers say he can still do it. If both are fit in August 2027, we expect both on the plane to Cape Town.

Key dates to watch

India’s ODI series between now and mid-2027
Squad announcement, likely August–September 2027
India’s first game: v Australia, 7 October 2027, Cape Town

See our full early prediction in India’s squad for World Cup 2027, and every India fixture in the World Cup 2027 schedule.

Frequently asked questions

Will Virat Kohli play the 2027 World Cup?

He is in India’s ODI squad and scored an unbeaten hundred in October 2026. If he stays fit and in form, he is expected to play.

Will Rohit Sharma play the 2027 World Cup?

He is still in India’s ODI squad and scored a century in October 2026. Nothing is confirmed, but he is in contention.

How old will Rohit and Kohli be at the 2027 World Cup?

Rohit will be 40. Kohli will be 38 at the start and turn 39 on 5 November 2027, during the tournament.

Who is India’s ODI captain?

Shubman Gill, since October 2025.

Sources we used

About this guide. Written by the T20 Cricinfo desk. Every date, venue and number on this page is checked against the ICC’s own announcements first, then major cricket media. Opinions are clearly marked as our take; facts come from official selections and published interviews. When the ICC changes anything, we update this page and the date below.

Last updated: 7 November 2026.

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