Ravichandran Ashwin urges BCCI to decide Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI futures before August

Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the BCCI to immediately decide on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's place in the 2027 ODI World Cup rather than letting the uncertainty drag past August 2026. The former India off-spinner believes that senior players who have served the team for decades deserve transparency, especially with the World Cup scheduled for October to November 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. With both veterans approaching 39 and 40 respectively by tournament time, Ashwin argues that every month of clarity counts for physical and mental preparation.

The 2027 World Cup is scheduled for October-November next year in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, with Kohli approaching 39 and Rohit past 40. Ashwin's concern runs deeper than mere selection protocol. If India wants Kohli and Rohit to play the 2027 World Cup, the team management must make that decision now and stand firmly behind them, as a major tournament like the World Cup cannot be won only with young players, and experienced cricketers who have handled pressure many times on the big stage will make a huge difference when the team needs them most.

"In all honesty, where does the speculation come from? Somewhere, it is in someone's mind that they should not go to the World Cup. I don't know who those people are. Some people will have that doubt, and somebody else wants them to be in the squad. I personally think you need experienced batters to play the World Cup in South Africa," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.

The confusion surrounding both players has created an unnecessary fog over India's World Cup planning. Ashwin feels it is like a marriage when it comes to Kohli and Rohit potentially making the 2027 World Cup, while the players will have to be fit and in form, they would also need good vibes from the team management, and if the management wants both of them at the 50-over World Cup in South Africa and if there is enough energy around it, it's very much possible to keep them on the park and utilise their experience.

"If you want them, make a decision now and make them feel absolutely comfortable and confident over the next year. If you do not make the decision now, it becomes difficult as the same thing will keep coming back after every one or two failures," Ashwin said.

With Ishan Kishan and Yashasvi Jaiswal in stunning form and strongly pushing their case for a place in the team, the opening slot is wide open. Young challengers are staking their claims, but Ashwin insists that this only strengthens the argument for clear, immediate communication from the BCCI. Both Kohli and Rohit deserve dignity, and the younger players deserve a transparent pathway. India's next ODI assignment arrives with the three-match series against England starting July 14, offering both veterans a chance to reinforce their World Cup credentials before the selection committee must finally make its call.