Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma not automatic picks for ODI World Cup 2027: Sources

India Today has learned that the Indian national selection committee has decided not to rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his selection committee discussed in detail the availability of veterans. While initial talks were leaning towards giving both players a break from their workloads in the IPL 2026 season, the committee ultimately decided that playing time was more important as both now play in only one international format.

India will play a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series against the visiting Afghanistan side in the first two weeks of June. While the Test starts in New Chandigarh on June 6, the ODI series will be played in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai between June 14 and 20.

Furthermore, the selectors emphasized on team bonding and saw the series as an ideal opportunity for the younger players of the transferring team to bond with the two stalwarts. The matches will also allow the team management to monitor the performance and fitness of both senior batsmen.

A team source said that with the next ODI World Cup still a long way off, the door remains open for the entire player pool. No player is permanently included or excluded from the set-up and selection will strictly depend on individual form and fitness.

just recently Virat Kohli has spoken about his future in international cricketmaking it clear that he would not want to continue in an environment where he is constantly forced to prove his worth.

“My perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment I am a part of and the environment feels that I can add value, I will be seen. If I feel that I need to prove my worth and my value, I am not in that space. Because I am honest when I prepared,” Kohli said in one of the latest episodes of the RCB Podcast.

“I’m honest about how I approach the game. I put my head down. I work hard. I’m very thankful to God for giving me everything I got in my cricket career. And I feel very blessed and grateful for the opportunity. And when I come to play, I keep my head down.”

WHY ISHAN KISHAN?

The most intense debate during the selection meeting centered on the middle-order and wicket slots, specifically involving Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson.

In the end, the jury chose Ishan, backing his ODI record and temperament. The selectors specifically highlighted his power-hitting ability, noting that his aggressive style could become a vital asset on the bounce tracks in South Africa during the next World Cup, should he be called upon to play. Meanwhile, Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad remain firmly in the selectors’ plans, with the panel clarifying that both are at the front of the queue for the team’s next international assignments.

INDIA ODI SQUAD FOR AFGHANISTAN SERIES

Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

May 21, 2026 11:05 AM IST