Virat, Rohit’s 2027 World Cup future not for public consumption: BCCI Secretary
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has refused to publicly discuss India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, insisting that talks regarding the team’s long-term plan remain an internal matter. His remarks come amid growing speculation over whether veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will feature in India’s squad for the next 50th World Cup.
The future of Kohli and Rohit was the main point of discussion since India lifted the 2025 Champions Trophy, with both senior stars expressing their desire to continue playing ODI cricket ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Speaking to PTI, Saikia made it clear that discussions about team planning and the future of the players are ongoing but not for public consumption.
“We have a very well-coordinated team and a lot of experts. All stakeholders are involved,” Saikia said. “Whatever decisions are made, it concerns the cricket board, the selectors and all the other parties involved, including the support staff, the head coach and the players concerned. There are regular conversations. We don’t need any special meetings for that reason. It is an ongoing process.” White-ball careers of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hang in the balance (Reuters Photo)
The comments come at a time when questions continue to be raised about the role of senior players in India’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup. While both Rohit and Kohli have repeatedly indicated that they want to play the tournamentchief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir avoided making any commitments about the composition of the future squad.
Saikia argued that strategic discussions regarding team building and player management should stay in the boardroom.
“I don’t think I should say anything in front of the media or in front of the public because these are strategic discussions. I’m not authorized to talk about them in front of the media,” he said. “Secondly, these are matters that should remain in the boardroom.
BCCI TO FOLLOW GOVERNMENT DICTATE ON BANGLADESH
Saikia also dealt with India’s cricketing relationship with Bangladesh, which then came under scrutiny India’s planned white-ball tour of the neighboring country has been postponed in the midst of political unrest. Bangladesh series to be played at government’s discretion (Photo Reuters)
Bangladesh has since experienced political changes, with former captain Tamim Iqbal taking over as president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. However, Saikia emphasized that the BCCI’s decisions regarding bilateral cricket are solely governed by the policies of the Government of India.
“BCCI is the controlling committee of cricket and we have nothing to do with what happens in politics in other countries,” Saikia said. “As the BCCI, we follow whatever policy the Indian government has regarding participation in bilateral and multinational sporting events. Whatever central government regulations and policies are laid down, we follow them, just like any other sports federation.”
He further clarified that the BCCI is not concerned with the nature of governments in other countries.
“We are not interested in who is running the government in a particular country, whether it is a democratically elected, non-democratically elected or autocratic government. That is none of our business,” he added. “Our job is to run cricket. Whenever there is a planned tour to a foreign country for bilateral matches, we will follow our plans and schedules.”
Meanwhile, India have taken an unassailable lead against Afghanistan in the ongoing three-match ODI series, with the final match being played on Saturday, June 20, in Chennai.
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Published on:
19 Jun 2026 15:45 IST