Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli deserve clarity from India management: Yuvraj Singh on 2027 World Cup plans
Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has called on the Indian team management to provide clarity to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli about their roles ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup and stressed that players of their stature deserve transparent communication. He stressed that uncertainty is inappropriate at this stage of his career and it is necessary for India to have a clear plan as they move towards the next global event.
Both Rohit and Kohli have opted out of Tests and T20Is to focus on their roles in ODIs Be at the center of India’s roadmap, But also part of the broader transition conversation. Speaking to India Today’s sister channel, Sports Tak, Yuvraj highlighted the need for honest talks between head coach Gautam Gambhir, the India selectors and the two legends.
Yuvraj said, “I don’t know what is going on in his mind. He seems committed to playing the World Cup, but I think it is his decision and the selectors who have to decide the future. My point is that he is such a great player, there should be clarity in this.”
“You have to be able to sit in a room and discuss things openly. It’s difficult, especially at that stage of your career. You may not like to hear that the team is looking ahead, but after a year you will appreciate that at least someone told the truth to your face. That doesn’t really happen in Indian cricket,” he said.
Meanwhile, both Rohit and Kohli have shown that they remain integral parts of India’s ODI setup. Kohli has enjoyed a resurgence since the end of 2025, A return to the top of the ICC rankings with a more aggressive approach, including a brilliant series against South Africa, where he scored 302 runs in three matches at an average of 151 and a strike rate of over 117.
Rohit, on the other hand, scored 202 runs at an average of 101 in three matches in Australia, including a match-winning century in Sydney that sealed the series and helped him regain the No. 1 ODI ranking spot at 38, just . However, his form declined in the next home series against New Zealand, where he managed only 61 runs at an average of 20.33.
Why should India not pay attention to the Ro-Ko dilemma?
Yuvraj stressed that while the Rohit-Kohli debate will continue to make headlines, India’s focus should be on creating a clear and structured roadmap for the 2027 World Cup. For them, the bigger concern is not who plays, but how decisively the management communicates its vision to both the senior players and the next generation.
Yuvraj said, “I don’t want any player who has represented the country for so many years to be stuck in a situation where someone doesn’t sit down and tell them clearly what the plan is. Either commit them to the World Cup and support them fully, or tell them that the team is considering young players. Someone has to say that. Tell them the reality. I think that should happen after this IPL.”
With emerging players like Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings but struggling for opportunities due to a settled top order, India face the challenge of striking a balance between continuity and change, making clarity all the more important in the coming months.
Will Rohit, Kohli play 2027 World Cup?
For Yuvraj, the answer is not a simple yes or no, but depends on how India wants to shape its team. He stressed that it is important to plan for the future, but the value of experience in a high-pressure tournament like the World Cup cannot be underestimated.
“You need experience in the team, you can’t just go with young players. You need someone like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the team for the World Cup. But the thing is, whatever you are thinking, you have to be clear about them. Don’t leave them in the dark, that’s not good, not even for them,” he said.
Yuvraj said, “Rohit Sharma has probably been the best white-ball opener and a World Cup-winning captain in T20 and Champions Trophy, so give him that respect. Virat Kohli is one of the greatest players of our generation for India, so he deserves that respect too.”
As India look towards 2027, the figures show that Rohit and Kohli still have a long way to go, but the big thing is not just about form, it is about direction.
– ends