Updated: Apr 03, 2026, 18:32 IST
Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has urged the Indian team management to clearly define the roles of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the team prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying players of their stature should not face uncertainty at this stage of their careers.With both Rohit and Kohli having stepped away from Tests and T20Is to focus on ODIs, their place in India’s plans remains important, even as the team looks at transition. Speaking to Sports Tak, Yuvraj said there needs to be open communication between head coach Gautam Gambhir, the selectors and the two senior players. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar haven’t yet provided a clear answer on the two senior players’ participation in the ODI World Cup next year.
“I don’t know what’s going on in their minds. They (Rohit and Kohli) look committed to playing the World Cup, but I think that decision lies with them and the selectors, who will have to decide the future. My point is that they are such great players, there has to be clarity,” Yuvraj said.“You should be able to sit in a room and discuss things openly. It’s difficult, especially at that stage of your career. You may not like hearing that the team is looking ahead, but a year later you will appreciate that at least someone told you the truth to your face. That doesn’t really happen in Indian cricket,” he added while talking to Sports Tak.Both players have continued to perform in ODIs. Kohli returned to the top of the ICC rankings at the start of 2026 and had a strong series against South Africa, scoring 302 runs in three matches at an average of 151 and a strike rate of over 117.Rohit, meanwhile, scored 202 runs in three matches in Australia at an average of 101, including a century in Sydney that helped him reclaim the No.1 ODI ranking spot at 38. However, he struggled in the following home series against New Zealand, where he managed 61 runs at an average of 20.33.Yuvraj said the focus should be on having a clear plan for the 2027 World Cup rather than just debating individual players. He added that the management should take a clear call and communicate it to both senior players and younger ones.“I don’t want any player who has represented the country for so many years to be stuck in a situation where no one sits down and tells them clearly what the plan is. Either commit to them for the World Cup and back them fully, or tell them that the team is looking at younger players. Someone has to say it. Tell them the reality. I think that should happen after this IPL,” Yuvraj said.He also pointed to the need to prepare younger players in time, mentioning Yashasvi Jaiswal as an example.
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“The players who are at the end of their careers, giving clarity is very important. The captain, coach, and selectors should sit with the guys and explain how they are looking at things. The conversation might not go well, but at least you tried on your end. Look at Yashasvi Jaiswal; he scored a century in his last ODI, but he is sitting out. When will you groom Jaiswal? You have the World Cup next year,” Yuvraj told Sports Tak.“If you are going to the World Cup, you should have played several games. I am not saying you should drop someone. But if you’re playing the 2027 ODI World Cup, you need to start preparing your squad now. You need to give them games. Take a decision, it shouldn’t happen at the last minute that one of your senior players gets injured and there’s no young player,” he added.
