With the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, many fans are hopeful the two Indian cricketing icons are setting up one final act — a swansong at the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. But former captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t so sure.
In an interview with PTI, Ganguly cautioned that the road to the World Cup isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. “It won’t be easy. 15 ODIs a year. The game will eventually go away from them, and they from the game, like it happens to all,” he said, noting the physical demands and time commitment required to stay match-fit until 2027, when Kohli will be 39 and Rohit 40.
Kohli and Rohit, both former captains and World Cup winners in other formats, have stepped back from Tests, possibly to extend their ODI careers. With the T20 and Test formats out of their schedule, they could theoretically focus entirely on ODIs, especially with around 27 ODIs lined up before the next World Cup under the current calendar.
However, Ganguly emphasized that playing consistently — not just showing up for the World Cup — would be essential. “There’s no advice I can give. They know the game well. But staying in contention will mean playing all those matches,” he remarked.
Kohli’s form against balls outside the off-stump and Rohit’s dip in red-ball performance might have influenced their Test exits, but the IPL remains an active ground for both players to maintain fitness and competitiveness. Even so, the challenge of remaining elite-level performers until 2027 remains steep.
The BCCI and fans alike will now watch closely to see whether the legendary duo can write one last chapter — or if time has already begun to write the epilogue.
