Former India head coach Anil Kumble has backed the idea of keeping Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India’s ODI setup, saying their experience could prove invaluable in the build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. In Kumble’s view, the presence of two proven match-winners would not only strengthen the squad but also ease the pressure on new ODI captain Shubman Gill in high-stakes situations.
Kumble was particularly impressed with Gill’s leadership during IPL 2026, where the Gujarat Titans skipper showed clarity in his decision-making and remained consistent with the bat throughout the season. Even though the Gujarat Titans fell short in the final against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gill’s overall campaign stood out. He finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 732 runs in 16 matches at an average of 45.75 and a strike rate of 163.02, including one century and six fifties.
“We have seen in the IPL that he has rotated his bowlers well, used his spinners at the right time, and handled pressure situations with clarity. His form with the bat has not dipped,” Anil Kumble said on JioStar.
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For Kumble, Gill’s transition into India’s ODI captaincy role will become much smoother if Rohit and Kohli remain part of the dressing room. Both veterans, he believes, can share the burden of leadership by guiding Gill on field placements, bowling changes and crucial tactical calls when the game is on the line.
“They can guide him with field placements, bowling changes, and key tactical decisions. Shubman doesn’t have to carry the burden alone,” Anil Kumble noted.
Rohit and Kohli have now stepped away from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, leaving the ODI format as their only active international assignment. That makes their role in India’s future plans even more significant, especially with the next World Cup approaching. Their records in previous ICC tournaments continue to underline why they remain such valuable assets.
Rohit was the star batter at the 2019 ODI World Cup, finishing with 648 runs in nine matches at an average of 81.00. His campaign included five centuries and one fifty, making him the first batter in World Cup history to score five hundreds in a single edition.
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Kohli, meanwhile, produced a record-breaking run at the 2023 ODI World Cup. He scored 765 runs in 11 innings, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record for the most runs in a single World Cup. His consistency and impact earned him the Player of the Tournament award, further strengthening Kumble’s case for keeping both senior batters in India’s ODI plans.
