India head coach Gautam Gambhir has urged everyone to focus on the present rather than speculate about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future in ODIs ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
With Shubman Gill taking over as India’s ODI captain and both senior players in their mid-30s — having retired from Tests and T20Is — questions have emerged about whether they’ll still be part of India’s plans for the 2027 edition.
Speaking after India’s 2–0 Test series win against West Indies, Gambhir said:
“The 50-over World Cup is still two-and-a-half years away. It’s very important to stay in the present. They are quality players, and their experience will be valuable in Australia. Hopefully, both have a successful tour — and more importantly, the team has a successful series.”
🇮🇳 Gambhir on Shubman Gill’s Leadership and Mental Readiness
Now captaining India in Tests and ODIs and serving as T20I vice-captain, Shubman Gill faces a demanding schedule across formats. Gambhir, however, believes the young captain is handling the pressure well.
“He’s scoring runs and in a good space,” Gambhir said. “If results don’t go our way, it’s my job to keep him and the entire group mentally strong. It’s not only about skills; the mental aspect of the game is equally important, especially for players juggling all three formats.”
💬 Gambhir Defends Harshit Rana: ‘Stop Targeting Young Players for YouTube Views’
Gambhir also addressed criticism from former India captain and ex-chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth, who claimed Harshit Rana’s selection for the Australia tour was due to favoritism. Rana, 23, has been named in both ODI and T20I squads.
Gambhir didn’t hold back:
“It’s shameful. If you can’t spare a 23-year-old boy just to run your YouTube channel, it’s unfair. His father isn’t an ex-cricketer or selector; he’s earned this on merit. Criticise performance — not individuals. Social media amplifies such comments, and it affects young players. Criticise me, I can handle it, but don’t target a kid trying to make his mark.”
He added that everyone — former players, selectors, and fans — shares a moral responsibility toward Indian cricket’s well-being:
“Indian cricket doesn’t belong to me or the dressing room. It belongs to every Indian who wants the team to do well. Criticise responsibly.”
