Key facts
- BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia calls the matter 'not for public consumption'
- Concerns centre on Kohli and Rohit's futures at the 2027 ODI World Cup
- Rohit Sharma has already retired from Test cricket
- 2027 World Cup is hosted by South Africa
India Today reports that BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has deflected public questions about whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be part of India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying such matters are not meant for public consumption. The statement is the clearest acknowledgement yet that the board is actively thinking about the futures of its two most celebrated senior batters.
Both Kohli and Rohit are currently in their late thirties. Rohit Sharma has already stepped back from Test cricket, and Kohli has had an inconsistent recent run in limited-overs formats, fuelling speculation about their long-term international futures. The 2027 World Cup, to be held in South Africa, would require both players to still be performing at the highest level well into their forties.
The BCCI's deliberate silence underlines the sensitivity of the question. For Indian fans, the answer will define the shape of the national team's next chapter and who the next generation of match-winners will be.