Shastri: Kohli and Sharma's 2027 ODI World Cup Hopes Hinge on Form, Fitness, and Hunger

As of October 2025, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed concerns about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's chances of participating in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Shastri, who coached the Indian team from 2017 to 2021, stated that the duo's inclusion in the upcoming ODI series against Australia will be a crucial test of their form, fitness, and hunger.

Kohli and Sharma, both seasoned cricketers, have been named in India's squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia, which is set to begin on October 19th in Perth. Shastri emphasized that their performance in this series will be pivotal in determining their long-term prospects, as the 50-over World Cup is still two years away. By then, Rohit will be 40 years old, while Kohli will be 38.

The former coach also drew a parallel to the recent retirement of Australian batsman Steve Smith from ODIs, noting that at their age, Kohli and Sharma must maintain their passion and hunger for the game. Shastri acknowledged that experience is invaluable in big matches, as evidenced by the duo's impressive performances during India's victorious Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year.

However, Shastri also highlighted the wealth of young talent emerging in India's white-ball setup, including players like Tilak Varma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill. He believes that the "Men in Blue" are much stronger in the limited-overs format compared to the red-ball game, and these young guns are pushing the veteran cricketers to maintain their standards.