Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, has offered a pragmatic perspective on whether veteran stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup. In a pre-tour press conference for the ODI series against Australia, starting October 19, Gambhir steered clear of definitive predictions about the distant future, emphasizing current priorities. Both Sharma and Kohli, who have retired from Test and T20I cricket, have been selected for the upcoming ODI assignment under captain Shubman Gill. Gambhir’s message was clear: “It is very important to stay in the present.” He conveyed his best wishes for a successful tour of Australia for the two experienced players and the entire squad. India is embarking on a challenging itinerary, including tours of Australia and South Africa, interspersed with T20Is. Gambhir addressed the complexities of managing players who compete across all formats. He pointed to the successful preparation strategies employed by the Test team, such as engaging in India A matches and planning for domestic first-class games before major series, as key to performance. “They are preparing themselves really well for the Test series and that is where you could see the results as well,” he noted. Gambhir also reflected on the pressures of coaching, acknowledging that results are paramount. “This is the harsh reality of my job and profession.” He asserted that while he can control his efforts to maintain a positive environment and make good decisions, player performance ultimately determines his success. “Ultimately, the players perform. A coach or a captain is only as good as his team,” Gambhir concluded.
