Road to 2027 begins: Kohli and Rohit’s toughest year ahead

After a strong comeback in 2025, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma enter 2026 facing career-defining challenges, with the 2027 ODI World Cup dream hanging on form, fitness and consistency.

Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped into the New Year after delivering a strong and impactful show in 2025. However, while the year gone by restored their dominance, 2026 looms as the most challenging phase of their careers. Only if they clear this crucial test will their ultimate goal of playing the 2027 ODI World Cup remain alive.

The past year was anything but easy. Early in 2025, both faced criticism following a disappointing outing in Australia. In a dramatic turn of events, the senior duo eventually bid farewell to Test cricket, signalling a clear shift in focus. Attempts were also made behind the scenes to phase them out of the ODI setup, but those efforts failed as the duo responded with performances rather than words.

By standing firm against pressure from selectors, team management and decision-makers, Kohli and Rohit ensured that 2025 ended on a high note. Their form and experience once again proved their value to Team India. But the challenges are far from over.

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Their current and singular target is the 2027 ODI World Cup. To keep that dream alive, both have even returned to domestic cricket, underlining their commitment to maintaining rhythm and match sharpness. This itself reflects how critical 2026 is for their careers.

Form will be a major test. With both players now restricted largely to the ODI format, opportunities to play together will be limited. Sustaining peak performance with fewer international matches will demand consistency every time they step onto the field.

Fitness will be another decisive factor. While Kohli continues to set benchmarks in fitness, Rohit Sharma has undergone intense training over the last four months and has shown visible improvement. Maintaining both body fitness and match fitness throughout the year will be vital.

Team India is scheduled to play 18 ODI matches in 2026. Home series against New Zealand, Afghanistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka will offer chances to score runs, but the real test lies overseas. Tours of England and New Zealand, with three-match ODI series each, will be crucial. Failure in these conditions could trigger fresh waves of criticism.

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Domestic cricket will again play a role. With limited international action, both Kohli and Rohit are expected to feature in tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy to stay in touch with the game.

The IPL 2026 (Season 19) will also be under intense spotlight. A poor IPL season could once again fuel retirement speculation, making performances in the league equally important.

In summary, 2026 stands as a make-or-break year for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Tough tours, form battles, fitness checks, domestic cricket and IPL pressure, all roads lead to one dream: the 2027 World Cup.

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