As India begins planning for the ODI World Cup 2027, discussions have intensified around the future of some of the team’s most experienced players. While Virat Kohli appears to have secured his place in India’s long-term plans, questions are being raised about whether Rohit Sharma can maintain his spot in the squad over the next year.
Former India selector Saba Karim believes Rohit’s form and fitness will be closely monitored before any decisions are made regarding his World Cup prospects. According to Saba Karim, the former India captain still has a lot of work to do if he wants to remain a key part of India’s plans for the global tournament.
Rohit Sharma, 39, recently featured for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026. However, his campaign was disrupted by a hamstring injury that forced him to miss five matches. The same fitness concern has now cast doubt over his availability for India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
Saba Karim suggested that Rohit Sharma must focus on improving both his fitness levels and batting performances in the coming months. He believes the selectors will closely assess the opener’s progress over the next six months before deciding whether he remains in contention for the ODI World Cup 2027 squad.
In contrast, Saba Karim feels Virat Kohli has already done enough to convince the selectors of his value. The former selector said that Kohli’s performances, fitness standards and continued hunger for runs have left little doubt about his place in India’s future plans.
37-year-old Kohli once again demonstrated his quality during the IPL 2026, playing a crucial role in helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defend their title. The veteran batter scored nearly 700 runs during the tournament and remained highly active in the field throughout the season.
Saba Karim noted that Virat Kohli has consistently evolved his game to meet modern cricket’s demands. One of the biggest improvements has been his scoring rate in T20 cricket. During the IPL 2026, Kohli recorded a strike rate of 165.84, the highest he has achieved in a single IPL season.
According to Saba Karim, Virat recognised the need to score faster in the shortest format and worked hard to improve that aspect of his game. He pointed out that Kohli’s strike rate has steadily increased over the last two to three seasons. Compared to previous years, when his strike rate was around 140 to 150, it has now climbed significantly, reaching the 170-180 range during the latest season.
Saba Karim praised Virat’s dedication to self-improvement, saying the batter constantly works on strengthening his game and adapting to changing demands. He added that this commitment is one of the reasons Kohli continues to perform at the highest level across formats.
Reflecting on Virat Kohli’s overall career, Saba Karim described him as one of the finest multi-format cricketers the sport has seen. From Test cricket to ODIs and T20s, Kohli’s achievements across all formats place him among the greatest players of his generation.
While Virat Kohli appears firmly established in India’s future plans, Rohit Sharma faces a crucial period ahead. With fitness concerns and recent form under scrutiny, the next six months could play a major role in determining whether he remains part of India’s journey towards the ODI World Cup 2027.
