On Monday, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed his anticipation that senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be available for most of the ODIs and Tests following their retirement from T20 Internationals. He hopes they will maintain their fitness to remain contenders for the 2027 50-over World Cup.
Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from T20s after India’s World Cup victory earlier this month and were expected to miss the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. However, both players were included in India’s squad for next month’s three ODIs in Sri Lanka, considering the Champions Trophy scheduled for early next year.
In his first media interaction since becoming head coach, Gambhir emphasized the significance of workload management for star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah but anticipated the regular participation of Rohit and Kohli moving forward.
“I’ve mentioned before that managing workload for someone like Jasprit Bumrah is crucial. For batters, if they can play consistently and are in good form, they should play all the games,” he stated.
“With Rohit and Virat stepping away from T20 cricket, we only have two formats to manage. I’m confident they will be available for most matches,” he added.
Regarding Bumrah, Gambhir noted that the “one rare kind of bowler” requires special care due to frequent injury issues that fast bowlers often face.
Gambhir also expressed his expectation that Rohit and Kohli will prioritize their fitness in light of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will take place in South Africa. “They have proven their capabilities on significant occasions… in both the T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup,” he remarked.
While Gambhir did not dismiss the possibility of having three separate teams for different formats, he stressed the need for the Indian team to demonstrate consistency, especially as the T20I side undergoes a transition following the retirements of Rohit, Kohli, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
He concluded by stating his intention to foster a positive team environment, acknowledging that international cricket can create pressure and insecurity.
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