Top 3 contenders to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI opener for upcoming 2027 World Cup

Rohit Sharma guided India to glory in the 2025 Champions Trophy earlier this year, adding another feather to his illustrious career. His leadership played a pivotal role in steering the team to success.

However, in recent weeks, speculation has intensified regarding his future in international cricket. The 38-year-old has already stepped away from certain formats, signaling that the twilight of his career may be approaching.

Rohit announced his retirement from T20Is after last year’s T20 World Cup. He later decided to end his Test career ahead of the England tour, following a challenging 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where his performances fell short of expectations.

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Rohit Sharma’s Future in ODI in Debacle:

On Sunday, August 10, mixed reports surfaced about Rohit Sharma’s future in international cricket. According to Dainik Jagran, both Rohit and Virat Kohli might retire after the Australia series in October, as they reportedly do not feature in India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup.

However, news agency PTI quoted BCCI sources who dismissed these claims, stating that no official decision has been made regarding Rohit’s retirement. The uncertainty has fueled widespread discussion among fans and cricket experts about whether the Champions Trophy-winning captain is nearing the end of his international journey.

Players Who Might be Choices For Rohit Sharma:

Realistically, Rohit Sharma will be 40 when the next ODI World Cup arrives, making his inclusion in the tournament doubtful. With this in mind, attention shifts to identifying suitable replacements. Here’s a look at three potential candidates who could take over the opener’s role in India’s ODI lineup ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill’s strong opening partnership in ODIs has kept Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the 50-over XI. The young left-hander has played just one ODI to date, debuting against England in Nagpur this February, where he scored 15 before being dismissed.

If the selectors opt to move on from Rohit Sharma in ODIs, Yashasvi Jaiswal could be a prime choice to partner Shubman Gill at the top. Jaiswal’s List A numbers further strengthen his case. In 33 matches, he has piled up 1,526 runs at an impressive average of 52.62 and a strike rate of 85.97. His record features five hundreds, seven half-centuries, and a career-best score of 203, underlining his ability to play long innings and adapt to different match situations.

• KL Rahul

KL Rahul is another potential candidate to move up as an opener. The Karnataka batter has previous experience in the role, having opened the innings for India on several occasions. Notably, he also took on the opening responsibility during the 2019 World Cup, showcasing his adaptability and ability to provide solid starts at the top of the order when required.

KL Rahul has opened in 23 innings, scoring 915 runs at an average of 43.57, including 3 centuries and 6 fifties. He usually stepped in as an opener when Shikhar Dhawan or Rohit Sharma was injured. With Rohit’s future uncertain, India might consider promoting KL Rahul to open regularly, giving him a chance to solidify his place at the top of the batting order once again.

• Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad is another potential candidate to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI opener. Similar to Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Chennai Super Kings captain has seen limited chances in the 50-over format due to the consistent performances of the Rohit-Gill duo. His solid technique and composure at the crease make him a promising option for the role in the future.

Since making his ODI debut in July 2021, he has played just six matches in the format. In these appearances, he has scored 115 runs at an average of 19.16. His highest score of 71 came against Australia in Mohali in September 2023, where he faced 77 deliveries and struck 10 boundaries.

In addition to representing India in 23 T20Is, Gaikwad brings valuable experience from 86 List A matches. Across 83 innings, he has amassed 4,324 runs at an impressive average of 56.15 and a strike rate of 101.66, including 16 centuries and 17 fifties. His highest score, an unbeaten 220 off 159 balls, came for Maharashtra against UP in the 2022-23 Vijay Hazare Trophy quarterfinal.