India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar has offered much-needed clarity on the futures of two of India’s modern-day greats — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia. Addressing the growing buzz around whether the upcoming series could determine their places in India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup, Agarkar made it clear that neither player is on “trial.” He emphasised that their legacy, experience, and unmatched records make such discussions premature and, in his words, “a bit silly.”
Both Kohli and Rohit, now exclusively playing the ODI format after retiring from Tests and T20Is, are returning to international action after nearly six months. The series in Australia marks a key step in their comeback ahead of a busy 2026 calendar. However, with the 2027 World Cup still over two years away — and the duo likely to be 39 and 40 years old by then — questions about their longevity and fitness continue to surface. Ajit Agarkar, however, struck a balance between respect and realism.
“They are part of the squad for Australia,” he told NDTV. “They have been incredible players for a long time. It’s not about individuals — the focus is on the team and what we want to achieve. In two years, we don’t know what the situation will be. So why just them? It could be some other younger players as well.”
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His statement hinted at India’s succession planning, suggesting that while Kohli and Rohit are not being judged immediately, the selectors are keeping an eye on the next generation.
When pressed about whether each ODI from now on would be a litmus test for the veterans, Ajit Agarkar’s response was direct and respectful: “That’ll be a bit silly, isn’t it? When one averages over 50 (Kohli, 57.9) and one close to 50 (Rohit, 48.8), you don’t put them on trial every game. They’ve achieved everything — in terms of runs, consistency, and leadership. One series won’t define their place in 2027.”
He added that assessment will happen naturally over time: “They’re playing after the Champions Trophy final in March, and now again in October. Once they start playing regularly, we’ll assess how things shape up. We have some ideas, and as we go along, we’ll understand better how the team is progressing.”
Agarkar also addressed the broader debate about “legacy players” and whether their presence can sometimes hinder a team’s progress. His answer was firm: “Not at all. You have legacy cricketers because they’ve built that status through performance. No team in the world wants to play without experience. It’s always about balance — combining youth with seasoned players who can guide them.”
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He emphasized the importance of maintaining respect and communication with senior pros like Rohit and Kohli: “They’ve earned their legacy. You treat them with respect, not just for what they’ve done, but for the role they play in mentoring younger players. You want them around because every year, new players debut for India, and the seniors help them settle in.”
India will begin their ODI series against Australia on Sunday in Perth, with the first ball scheduled at 9 AM IST — a match that promises to be as much about legacy as it is about preparation for the future.
