3 Reasons why Rohit Sharma should not play ICC ODI World Cup 2027

Team India ODI captain Rohit Sharma propelled Men In Blue to two consecutive ICC titles in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai. However, he announced his retirement from T20Is and Tests. 

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Interestingly, Rohit emerged as the player of the match in the Champions Trophy 2025 Final vs New Zealand. According to reports, the Hitman is eyeing to play the ICC ODI World Cup in 2027 in South Africa after missing out to lift the silverware during the mega event in 2023 in India. 

That said, should Indian selectors stick with Rohit as the captain in ODIs until the conclusion of the ICC ODI World Cup in 2027? Let’s take a look at three reasons why the Indian opener should bid adieu to the One Day format.

3 Reasons why Rohit Sharma should not play ICC ODI World Cup 2027

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1. Limiting opportunities for young talent

While Rohit has decided to continue in the One Day format, he is indirectly blocking the young talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, and other youngsters who have been tremendously performing well in IPL.

While Jaiswal made his ODI debut against England in February 2025, he could play only one game in this format so far as the then rested Rohit took his spot back in the Champions Trophy 2025 later. 

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On the other hand, batters like Sai Sudharsan made his debut in 2023, but could play only three games as India managed to stick with the Rohit-Gill pair in this format. Players like Abhishek Sharma are yet to get their chances in this particular format.

If Rohit continues to play a handful of ODIs during this period and decides to retire before the start of the mega event due to any reason, it would be a tough task for the Indian selectors to fill in his spot suddenly.

2. Inconsistent form

Though Rohit emerged as one of the top openers since the start of 2022 in ODIs, scoring 302 runs in the 2024-25 season in eight ODIs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 108.24, he was seen constantly getting out after giving good starts for his side.

He has more than 11000 runs in 273 ODIs with 32 centuries and 58 fifties, averaging 48.76 at a strike rate of 92.80. More often he was seen going against any bowling attack without putting a prize on his wicket.

This approach led to him losing his wicket quite early in the innings multiple times. While he had a few periods of success as an ODI opener, he faced consistency issues, mainly against left-arm pacers with the new ball.

3. Fitness issues

Rohit, who turned 38 in April 2025, is having fitness issues due to his age factor. Reportedly, he has been carrying a left hamstring injury for years and he could undergo surgery after IPL 2025, which might put him off the field for a brief period.

With the ODI World Cup still two years away from now, Rohit would turn 40 by that time, raising serious concerns about the age factor and fitness. With him playing only one international format alongside IPL, his fitness might hamper a lot.

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