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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have answered their critics in style with match-winning performances in the recent Sydney ODI between India and Australia. Rohit scored a century while Kohli recovered after recording two ducks in a row to score an unbeaten half-century as the pair stitched a century stand to help India record a 9-wicket win over the world champions. Inevitably, debates over their participation in the next ODI World Cup, which is still two years away, have taken the centerstage. The Indian team has undergone transition in the past one year in Tests and T20Is with Kohli and Rohit among the prominent names to have retired from the two formats. The team management will soon start planning for the 2027 World Cup with focus on striking a balance between experience and youth. However, for Sunil Gavaskar, both Rohit and Kohli – provided they remain available for selection – are a given for the next world cup even if they are out of form. “The moment they made themselves available for this trip, it was clear they want to be there for the 2027 World Cup,” Gavaskar told India Today. “And irrespective of what happens between now and then – whether they score runs or not – with the ability and experience they possess, if they’re available, they’ll be certainties in the squad.” Rohit returned to his old self – taking time to build his innings and peeling off a big hundred. He remained unbeaten on 121 off 125. On the other hand, Kohli scored 74 not out, signaling a return to form as well following a harrowing show in the opening two fixtures. “With this kind of form, you can write their names straight into the World Cup squad for South Africa 2027,” Gavaskar added. Rohit himself was happy with his partnership with Kohli, noting how they have built a century-stand after a long time. “It was a fantastic partnership after a long, long time I think we haven’t had a 100-run partnership for a long time. It was good to get that partnership from the team’s perspective,” Rohit said. “Looking at how we were placed at one point, we had lost Gill early there. Not early perhaps, we managed to get off to a start and then he got out so obviously we knew with Shreyas not being there it was an added responsibility on other batters, and it was a great partnership. We enjoyed every moment we spent out there, there was a lot of chatter between the two of us,” he added.
