ODI series against Australia key for Kohli and Rohit’s 2027 World Cup hopes: Shastri

Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes that the upcoming ODI series in Australia will be crucial to assess the star batting duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they aim to extend their international careers and remain in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Shastri said the veteran duo must deliver a strong showing against Australia to reinforce their claims for the next 50-over global event, to be jointly staged in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

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Kohli and Rohit, who have retired from Tests and T20Is, were both named in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series beginning October 19 in Perth. The pair will join the squad before the team departs for Australia on October 15.

With the ODI World Cup still two years away and the recent form of Kohli, 36, and Sharma, 38, dipping below their usual high standards, their long-term futures have become a point of discussion.

Speaking at the Summer of Cricket launch in Sydney on Monday, Shastri was asked whether he expects the duo to still be in contention for the 2027 World Cup.

“That’s why they’re here (playing the ODI series against Australia). They’re part of the mix. It depends on their fitness, their hunger and of course, form,” Shastri said.

“So, I think this series is very important to see how they go. They themselves will know by the end of this series how they feel and then it’s their call. (It’s) the same thing with Steve Smith (who retired from ODIs in March) from Australia’s point of view. At that age, you’ve got to enjoy it and (you’ve) still got to have the hunger.

“But there’s no substitute for experience when it comes to the big games, as we saw in the Champions Trophy. Come the big games and the big boys step up,” he added.

Ahead of the upcoming tour, Rohit spent time at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru working on his batting and fitness, while Kohli has been preparing in London.

Australia will host India for three ODIs followed by five T20Is, marking the return of the seasoned “RoKo” pairing to the national fold.

India’s white-ball tour of Australia, led by new captain Shubman Gill, begins with the first ODI at Perth Stadium on October 19, followed by games at the Adelaide Oval on October 23 and the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25. The five-match T20I series will start October 29.

When India last toured Australia for a bilateral ODI series in 2020-21, they lost 2-1 but bounced back to claim the T20I series by the same margin.