Gautam Gambhir cautioned by ex India Head Coach on giving a long rope to Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma
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Former India head coach Anil Kumble feels that India must start thinking about the future after the end of the Champions Trophy 2025. Accoridng to Kumble, the team management must decide whether they see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the ODI World Cup 2027 or not.
The former India legspinner asked the current head coach Gautam Gambhir to make some tough calls regarding the team's selection which would involve the future of star cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Gambhir started his coaching tenure last year. It has been a mixed bag for him so far with India performing brilliantly in T20Is but not so much in Tests and ODIs. With the next World Cup in 2027, Kumble wants India to start preparations as soon as possible.
Do the seniors make it there" - Anil Kumble questions Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli's future
While speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Anil Kumble spoke about the future of Indian cricket and questioned the availability of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the next ODI World Cup. Kumble argued whether the youngsters can be given more opportunities to give them a good amount of experience.
"Ideally, at the end of this tournament, you must start looking ahead to the next World Cup (2027). Do the seniors make it there? Or do we give the opportunity to youngsters to take the team forward in the shorter formats and build a strong unit," Kumble wondered.
Anil Kumble: India need to look to the future, regardless of the outcome at the Champions Trophy 🗣️
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 20, 2025
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Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are at the end stages of their career right now. The star duo has already retired from T20Is but are still key players for India in Tests and ODIs. Both are currently playing in the Champions Trophy where their experience will be crucial for the team.
Anil Kumble calls Gautam Gambhir to make tough decisions
Speaking further on the discussion, Anil Kumble called it an important tournament for Gautam Gambhir, who has been under pressure for India's recent defeats at home and the Test series defeat in Australia.
"You could say this is a very important tournament for a coach who has to make those tough calls in terms of transitioning from the legacy players to the others. that's the job of the coach, to make those hard decisions," Kumble said.
Kumble further claimed that Team India needs to look ahead despite the results in the ongoing Champions Trophy. According to him, the Champions Trophy will determine the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
"This tournament could determine where those seniors would go, and where India would look at making those changes. Win or lose, you need these tough calls to be made at the earliest. You need to start looking ahead in white-ball cricket, especially at the 2027 World Cup."
Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retire?
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been terrific players for India across all the formats. However, their red-ball form hasn't been great. They ensured a poor run in the home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand and then the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well.
However, they will be aiming to redeem themselves by performing well in the Champions Trophy where their experience will be valuable for the team. While Rohit will be expected to give quick starts at the top, Kohli will be expected to pile on big runs.
Both the players were also a part of the last edition of the ODI World Cup in 2023 where they almost led India to a title win. Kohli and Rohit finished as the tournament's top two run-getters of the tournament but India suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the final.
