As anticipation builds around the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, former coach Anil Kumble has sparked fresh speculation about their future. He called on fans to celebrate the duo as they near the final stage of their careers.

Rohit is no longer a captain in the ODIs, and Kohli has stayed out of the spotlight since RCB’s IPL 2025 win. While both are set to play against Australia, their path beyond that remains uncertain. Could 2027 be their final shot at World Cup glory? Only time will tell.

According to Kumble’s recent remarks, the conclusion of this chapter may be approaching. India are scheduled to compete in nine ODIs before the upcoming T20 World Cup and an additional 18 matches leading up to 2027. Kumble expressed uncertainty about whether Kohli and Rohit will still be included in India’s squad for the global tournament. Regardless of their preferences, the ultimate decision will be made when the time comes.

“Let’s simply celebrate the two players while they’re out on the field. They’ve contributed immensely to Indian cricket over the years. Whether they’re thinking about the 2027 World Cup or not, that’s still a few years away. Right now, there are matches to play, and all they need to do is enjoy their time out there. Since Rohit is no longer the captain, he’s relieved of that responsibility, so he can just focus on batting and making the most of every moment on the field,” Kumble said on JioHotstar.

“I don’t think they need to worry too much about what’s coming in 2027. Both have plenty of experience, and ideally, you want them to be part of the team,” Kumble added.

Kohli and Rohit’s main focus now is to regain form. Kohli has been training in London. Rohit has lost ten kilos and is spending long hours in the nets.

Both will join the squad in Delhi before leaving for Australia. Kumble believes their priority should be handling the Aussie attack.

“They simply need to focus on getting ready for the ODI matches coming up in six months. Their goal is to keep playing until the 2027 World Cup and win it, something they missed out on in 2023 when Australia took the trophy. As I mentioned, these two players are true champions, and Australian fans will come out in large numbers to watch them play,” he concluded.