The Indian senior men’s selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will meet soon to pick the squads for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The selection committee will also discuss long-term planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup, including the future roles of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the setup.
India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test match in Mullanpur starting on June 6. Shubman Gill is expected to lead the Indian team during the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. The matches are scheduled to take place on June 14 in Dharamsala, June 17 in Lucknow, and June 20 in Chennai.
Selectors Set Strict Rules for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Ahead of 2027 World Cup
According to a report by The Times of India, the selection committee will focus on fitness and current form while preparing the player pool for the ODI World Cup 2027. The selectors also want to end speculation surrounding the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
The report stated that the committee will not compromise on fitness requirements. Every upcoming match will help the management finalize the best possible combination for the World Cup, and players will need to consistently perform to keep their places in the squad.
Rohit Sharma recently dealt with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss several Mumbai Indians matches. He also featured only as an Impact Player. The selectors are expected to consider him for the squad only if he is fully fit to handle the physical demands of 100-over cricket.
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Virat Kohli’s ODI Spot Secure as Rohit Sharma Faces Pressure Ahead of Afghanistan Series
While Rohit Sharma has struggled for consistency in recent months, Virat Kohli has continued his outstanding form during the IPL 2026 season. His performances have secured his place for all three ODI matches against Afghanistan.
Virat Kohli remains one of India’s most reliable ODI batters, and his recent form has removed any doubts regarding his position in the squad. Rohit, however, faces greater pressure after failing to make a major impact in white-ball cricket recently.
Virat recently averaged 80 at a strike rate above 105 during the ODI series against New Zealand. He has scored 14,797 runs in 311 ODI matches at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 93.82, including 54 centuries.
The former India captain also broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most centuries in ODI cricket during the 2023 World Cup, further strengthening his legacy in the format.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Continue to Focus Only on ODI Cricket
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue to focus only on ODI cricket after retiring from the Test and T20I formats. However, their ages ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup have reportedly become an important discussion point for the Indian selection committee.
Virat and Rohit will be 38 and 40 years old, respectively, during the World Cup. This has raised questions regarding their long-term roles in the national setup despite both players continuing to show strong form in ODI cricket.
Rohit averaged 20.33 during the recent ODI series against New Zealand. He is one of India’s greatest ODI batters. He has scored 11,577 runs in 282 ODI matches at an average of 48.85 and a strike rate of 92.75, including 33 centuries and 61 half-centuries.
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