The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to organize a high-level meeting between national selectors and the team management following the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa. This crucial discussion aims to chart the future course for veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the One-Day International setup, with specific focus on preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Key Stakeholders to Converge in Ahmedabad
According to sources, top BCCI officials, newly appointed coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are scheduled to sit together when the Indian team reaches Ahmedabad for the third ODI against South Africa next week. This meeting marks the first proper discussion about team preparation for the next ODI World Cup involving Rohit and Kohli, who haven't yet had detailed conversations about their roles in the long-term planning.
The team management has already begun considering backup options for both legendary batsmen, preparing for scenarios where either might not be available for the marquee tournament in 2027. A BCCI insider emphasized the importance of clear communication, stating, "It is very important that players of Rohit and Kohli's stature are given clarity about what is expected of them and how the current management views their roles. They can't just be playing with uncertainty."
Performance Concerns and Role Expectations
The board has specifically asked Rohit Sharma to concentrate solely on his fitness and performance while avoiding reactions to speculation about his cricketing future. Selectors and team management plan to directly share their concerns with both senior players during the meeting.
One significant worry revolves around how quickly both batsmen can regain form after long breaks, given they now play only one format internationally. While both scored runs in the third ODI against Australia recently, sources pointed out that the series was already lost by then, and the bowlers had set up the match in the first innings.
"They looked rusty in the first two matches. One can't afford that in every series," a source revealed, highlighting the consistency expectations from senior players.
Defined Roles and Domestic Cricket Participation
The team management expects Rohit Sharma to continue with his aggressive batting approach, similar to his style until the ICC Champions Trophy. Observations from the Australia series indicated he was taking more time than usual to settle at the crease.
Sources confirmed that Rohit is expected to lead by example as a fearless opener, with both senior batsmen tasked with making batting easier for younger players around them. Despite tough conditions in Australia, his risk-averse approach raised some concerns.
Another critical discussion point involves the limited game time both players have outside international cricket. The board would have preferred them playing some cricket in England during the summer and will likely advise participation in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy next month to maintain match fitness.
India has one more home three-match ODI series against New Zealand in January before the current season concludes. The team's next ODI assignment is a three-match series in England scheduled for July, providing more opportunities to test the evolving team composition and strategies.
