Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (left) and Yuvraj Singh
Former Indian 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 stepping away from Tests and T20Is to focus on ODIs, their place in India’s plans remains important, even as the team looks at the transition. Speaking to Sports Tak, Yuvraj said there should be open communication between head coach Gautam Gambhir, selectors and senior players. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are yet to give a clear answer on whether the senior players will participate in next year’s ODI World Cup.
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“I don’t know what’s going through their minds. They (Rohit and Kohli) seem committed to playing the World Cup, but I think the decision lies with them and the selectors, who will have to decide the future. My view is that they are both great players, and there should be clarity,” Yuvraj said.“You have to be able to sit in a room and discuss things openly. It’s tough, especially at that stage of your career. You may not like hearing that the team is looking forward, but after a year, you’ll appreciate that at least someone told you the truth to your face.”
“This doesn’t really happen in Indian cricket,” he added while talking to Sports Tak.Both players 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.Meanwhile, Rohit scored 202 runs in three matches in Australia at an average of 101, including a century in Sydney that helped him reclaim the top spot in the ODI rankings at 38.
However, he struggled in the next home series against New Zealand, managing 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 discussing individual players. He added that the administration must make a clear decision and communicate it to big and small players alike.“I don’t want any player who has represented the country for many years to be stuck in a situation where no one sits down and clearly tells them the plan.
Either commit to them at the World Cup and support them fully, or tell them that the team is looking for younger players. Someone has to say that. Tell them the reality. “I think this should happen after this Indian Premier League,” Yuvraj said.He also pointed out the need to prepare young players at the right time and cited Yashavi Jaiswal as an example.
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Do you think Rohit and Kohli’s current performances justify their place in the squad for the World Cup?
“For players who are at the end of their career, giving clarity is very important. The captain, coach and selection officials should sit down with the players and explain how they look at things.
The conversation may not have gone well, but at least you tried on your end. Look at Yashavi Jaiswal; He scored a century in his last ODI, but missed out. When will Jaiswal groom? “You have the World Cup next year,” Yuvraj told Sports Tak.“If you are going to the World Cup, you have to play several matches. I am not saying you have to leave someone out. But if you are playing the 2027 ODI World Cup, you have to start preparing your team now. You have to give them matches. Take a decision, it should not happen at the last minute that one of your senior players gets injured and there is no young player,” he added.