Gautam Gambhir on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing till 2027 ODI World Cup: 'If you perform, who's stopping you'

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli quite Twenty20 Internationals last year, with the former also announcing his retirement from the Test format on Wednesday, and have their sights set on helping India win the ICC World Cup for a third time two years from now in South Africa. Rohit, however, will be past the age of 40 when the 14th edition of cricket’s showpiece event takes place in the ‘Rainbow Nation’ while Kohli will be touching 39. Questions thus will be asked as to whether they will be able to maintain their form and fitness heading into the elite tournament at that age.

Gambhir says up to Rohit and Kohli to decide on their future

India head coach Gautam Gambhir, however, feels their participation in One-Day Internationals, including in the next World Cup, should not be an issue so long as they’re contributing with the bat and on the field. The former India opener, who played a key role in India’s victory over Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai, added that he will have no role over their selection in the Indian team.

“First things first, a coach’s job isn’t selecting the team. It is the job of selectors to select. The coach only selects the 11 who will play a match. Neither those who coached before me were selectors nor am I a selector,” Gambhir said at the ABP News’ ‘India At 2047’ Summit on Tuesday.

More from First Cricket

Pakistan Super League matches shifted to Karachi, PCB calls for emergency meeting after attacks: Report Operation Sindoor impact on IPL: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians may move from Dharamsala to Ahmedabad

“Till the time they (Rohit and Kohli) are performing, they should be a part of the team. When you start and when you end, is your individual decision.

“No coach, no selector, no BCCI can tell you when you should call it quits. If you perform, then why 40, you can jolly well play till 45, who’s stopping you?

“That (playing 2027 World Cup) will depend on their performance. Only that can ensure their selection,” Gambhir added.

Also Read | Gautam Gambhir slams Indian commentators, reveals if he misses his old job at KKR

While Rohit and Kohli had endured a horrid run in India’s last two Test assignments against New Zealand (home) and Australia (away), they were among the runs in the Men in Blue’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign.

Kohli scored a match-winning century in the group match against Pakistan in Dubai as well as 84 in the semi-final against Australia while Rohit struck 76 in the final against New Zealand in Dubai. Both stalwarts, thus, have indicated they still have the firepower in them to deliver and win games for India in the 50-over format.