Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been the stalwarts of Team India for nearly 15 years. They both have stitched countless partnerships and have won the team ICC trophies so far as well. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma led India to the T20 World Cup title in 2024, in the USA & Caribbean, and the ICC ODI Champions Trophy earlier this year in the UAE as well.

But many questions their future considering their age. However, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has laid to rest any doubts over the place of them in the team as well.

Speaking at the ‘ABP India At 2047 Summit’, Gautam Gambhir said, “Till the time they are performing, they should be a part of the team. Performance ensures selection. No coach, selector, or even the BCCI can tell someone to stop playing if they’re delivering.”

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Gambhir also said that the players in the Indian team are selected based on merit and not on his favourites as well.

“No sportsman plays for farewell. The biggest farewell and trophy is the love of the country. That is what truly matters. It’s not the coach’s job to pick the team; that’s for the selectors. My responsibility is to prepare whoever is selected to perform for India,” he further added.

While Virat Kohli has been in good form, Sharma has been going through a rough patch over the last 12 months as well. While he retired from the T20 format after the 2024 WC win, he has struggled in both red and white balls cricket and his poor form has continued in the ongoing IPL 2025 as well. However, Gambhir has backed him as well.

“I respect Rohit Sharma a lot, I respect the human being he is, I respect the person he is, I respect what he has done for Indian cricket and his contribution and I have got a lot of time for someone like Rohit Sharma,” Gautam Gambhir concluded.