Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (l) and Yuvraj Singh Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has urged the Indian team management to clearly define the roles of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the team prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying players of their stature should not face uncertainty at this stage of their careers.With both Rohit and Kohli stepping away from Tests and T20Is to focus on ODIs, their place in India’s plans remains important even as the team looks to transition. Speaking to Sports Tak, Yuvraj said there must be open communication between head coach Gautam Gambhir, the selectors and the two senior players. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar are yet to give a clear answer on the participation of the two senior players in next year’s ODI World Cup.
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Nitish Kumar Reddy breaks down SRH’s master plan | post-match pc “I don’t know what’s going through their minds. They (Rohit and Kohli) look determined to play in the World Cup but I think the decision lies with them and the selectors who will have to decide the future. My point is they are such great players, it has to be clear,” Yuvraj said.“You should be able to sit in a room and discuss things openly. It’s difficult, especially at this stage of your career. You may not like to hear that the team is looking ahead, but a year later you will appreciate that at least someone told you the truth to your face. That doesn’t really happen in Indian cricket,” he added while talking to Sports Tak.Both players went on to perform in ODIs. Kohli returned to the top of the ICC rankings at the start of 2026 and had a strong series against South Africa, scoring 302 runs in three matches at an average of 151 and a strike rate of over 117.Meanwhile, Rohit scored 202 runs at an average of 101 in three matches in Australia, including a century in Sydney that helped him regain the top spot in the ODI rankings at 38. However, he struggled in the following home series against New Zealand, managing 61 runs at an average of 20.33.Yuvraj said the focus should be on a clear plan for the 2027 World Cup rather than mere debates about individual players. He added that the management should take a clear call and communicate it to the senior players as well as the younger ones.“I don’t want any player who has represented the country for so many years to be stuck in a situation where no one sits down and tells them clearly what the plan is. Either commit to them for the World Cup and give them full support or tell them that the team is looking at younger players. Someone has to say that. Tell them the reality. I think it should happen after this IPL,” Yuvraj said.He also pointed out the need to prepare younger players early, citing Yashasvi Jaiswal as an example.
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“Players who are at the end of their career, clarity is very important. The captain, the coach and the selectors should sit down with the guys and explain how they are looking at things. The conversation may not go well, but at least you have tried at your end. Look at Yashasvi Jaiswal; he scored a century in his last ODI, but he is sitting,” are you going to have Takho Jaiswal in the World Cup next year?“If you are going to the World Cup, you should have played some matches. I am not saying you should drop anyone. But if you are playing the ODI World Cup 2027, you have to start preparing your team now. You have to give them matches. Make a decision, it should not happen at the last minute that one of your senior players gets injured and there is no young player,” he added.Also See: CSK vs PBKS Live Score
