BCCI May Drop Rohit Sharma Before ODI World Cup 2027. Here Is Why Selectors Are Worried
Time moves fast for Rohit Sharma in one-day cricket. With India gearing up for the 2027 World Cup, whispers inside the board hint he might not see it through. Those keeping tabs on updates have noticed Khelosports covering shifts quietly piling up. The picture forming now feels harder to miss.
It stands out because things changed so fast. A few months back, Rohit lifted a trophy as skipper. Today, with the one-day World Cup across South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe just under twelve months away, the selection panel is already picturing the team without him – even though he turns 39 soon.
The Fitness Warning That Shifted Perspective
Midway through IPL 2026, things shifted. A hamstring strain hit Rohit hard in a clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. That setback kept him off the field for weeks. Once back with Mumbai Indians, his role changed. Full-over spells in the outfield were rare. Instead, he stepped into games later, slotted often as an Impact Player.
Worries have reached the national selection panel over how carefully he’s been managed lately. Here’s the issue – there is no Impact Player option in one-day internationals. He’d be expected to stay on the field all fifty overs, run hard between the stumps, push physically from start to finish. Lately, his frame hasn’t handled such demands well.
“Rohit has not been playing ultra aggressive brand of batting since he is relived from captaincy”
— Yash. (@iYashMall) May 21, 2026
Oh my days 😭😭😭😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/fCzkCEyw7O
Inside Views From BCCI Circles
A BCCI source painted a concerning picture. “Rohit didn’t report to the BCCI’s centre of excellence for those three weeks. He has become lean, but there are concerns about his body being able to take the load of high-performance sport. He has to field for 50 overs. ODI cricket doesn’t have the option of an Impact Player like IPL. Body takes time to heal when you are so close to turning 40.”
More Than Just Fitness
Worries aren’t just about fitness anymore. A change has crept into how leaders see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Once discussed hand in hand, like they were tied at the hip, those days have faded. Now, talks about one rarely drag the other along. Separate paths seem to be taking shape.
Right now, Kohli stands ahead of many Indian players when it comes to fitness, based on private evaluations. That same insider from the BCCI mentioned his shape and performance edge out plenty in the squad today. Still, keep in mind – Kohli and Rohit aren’t on the same path any longer. Deciding what comes next for Rohit means sitting down with the BCCI doctors first.
Some managers are growing impatient with how Rohit bats. Hitting hard right from the first overs matters most to them. Think explosive beginnings like those seen during India’s strongest one-day runs. Sources say he hasn’t fully committed to that level of attack every time.
The Succession Plan Is Underway
What stands out most? The BCCI isn’t sitting still. Behind the scenes, choices are forming – options piling up even past Jaiswal, who many see as next in line.
Opening slots are being eyed by Ishan Kishan, lately named in ODI groups for that role. Another name floating near the top is Ruturaj Gaikwad, showing up again in conversation.
“There aren’t many ODIs before the World Cup. As it is, Jaiswal hasn’t got enough game time. Ishan has been picked so that he can double up as an opener. But if Rohit fails to make it to the World Cup and either Shubman Gill or Jaiswal gets injured, there needs to be another opener ready,” the source explained.
The Complicating Factor
Named in India’s ODI team for the Afghanistan games – Rohit’s spot comes with a question mark. Not cleared medically just yet, so whether he plays hangs on recovery progress. The pick feels cautious, like hope mixed with caution tape. Fitness will decide if he steps onto the field or stays on the sidelines.
Out of nowhere, Chief selector Ajit Agarkar spoke up about player fitness. Not depending on guesses, he looks only at reports from doctors and training staff. What the team’s physio says – that’s what shapes his view completely. Trust matters most here, especially in decisions tied to health checks. His words were clear: expert advice guides every call.
What Happens Next
Out on the horizon, England’s next series looms large for Rohit’s path ahead. Should he step in fully fit, able to play without limits, opinions might start to change. Yet here’s the catch – with so few one-day games left before 2027, every moment slips faster.
Forty years old when the games start – that’s where Rohit stands. Choosing carefully, the selection panel hopes to dodge chaos at the eleventh hour. Could go out on top, could be left out cold; nobody knows yet. Here’s what won’t change. A call is arriving soon. Not the answer supporters had hoped for. Might sit uneasily with many.
This can be a huge concern for Rohit Sharma!https://t.co/DPD4CxIG7u
— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) May 21, 2026
FAQs
No, no official decision has been made yet. However, reports suggest BCCI is seriously considering dropping him due to fitness concerns. A final call will come after consulting the medical team.
Selectors believe Kohli's fitness is significantly better than Rohit's. Unlike Kohli, Rohit has struggled to field for 50 overs without an Impact Player, and he recently missed IPL matches due to a hamstring injury.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is the primary replacement option. Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad are also being prepared as backup openers for the 2027 World Cup.
