Former India player and commentator Aakash Chopra has said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be part of India’s 2027 World Cup squad as long as they continue to perform consistently. He also added that the Indian team’s selection has always been based on merit, with no favouritism available there.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “The preparations are on for the second Test, but the focus is more on the big news currently. The big news is that Rohit Sharma is not there as a captain, and Virat Kohli is there, but nobody knows what the road ahead will be. I read an article where it was written that their selection will be merit-based. I am wondering when their selection was not merit-based. Meritocracy only works. There is no favoritism or quota system here. India are doing well because whoever is good plays here. If you are good, you will play for India, and if you do well consistently, you will remain in the team.”

However, Aakash Chopra also stated that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have performed well in ODIs lately as well. And, he shared that the duo won’t get many chances to showcase their form and class.

“If you see their last 15 ODIs, you would say their numbers are good. They have scored runs and the strike rate has been decent. It’s said form is temporary, class is permanent. However, since you do not play any other format, knowing that form and seeing that class repeatedly won’t be that frequent. That’s the truth. It’s always the case that all-format players have a slightly longer career span. They are always in your thoughts. However, it’s very difficult for single-format players, whether you are playing only Tests, ODIs, or T20Is. Not playing any cricket is a problem. The gaps are becoming very long. That is not a good thing,” Aakash Chopra concluded.