Former Selector Warns BCCI of 'Catastrophic Fallout' Over Rohit-Kohli 2027 World Cup Plans

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Former BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) selector Devang Gandhi has reportedly urged the board members to make Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli the core of India’s squad for the 2027 World Cup. Despite their outstanding performances against South Africa and Australia, neither Gautam Gambhir nor the  BCCI has guaranteed their inclusion in the final team for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.

The head coach and BCCI are concerned about Rohit Sharma (40) and Virat Kohli’s age (39) ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. They are unsure whether their fitness levels and game hunger would remain the same at he current stage of their careers. 

The Core of India's 2027 World Cup Strategy

Devang Gandhi, a former BCCI selector, is strongly urging the board and team management to build the 2027 World Cup squad around Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. 

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He asserts that the planning has to "revolve around them" as long as they are available. The management should establish a consistent player pool of "not more than 20 players." This approach should provide clarity and balance out the team composition.

Despite recent success, neither player is guaranteed a spot in the 2027 event. Coach Gautam Gambhir insists on the need to "live in the present." Gandhi's pushback highlights the strong belief in their continued importance and match-winning ability.

Learning from the 2019 and 2023 World Cup Failures

Past World Cup failures teach a crucial lesson: establishing a settled batting order is vital. In the lead-up to the 2019 tournament, "no one was given enough chances to settle down at No. 4." When the top order collapsed in the semifinal, no middle-order batter was ready to step up. This instability cost the team significantly during a high-pressure situation.

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The same issue resurfaced in the 2023 World Cup. The team management had to play Suryakumar Yadav, who lacked a strong ODI track record. Former selector Devang Gandhi warned the repercussions could be "catastrophic" without a streamlined roadmap. He recommends identifying backups like Ruturaj Gaikwad and sticking with them. Preparing players like Rishabh Pant with enough game time is also essential to avoid past mistakes.