'Pretty certain Rohit-Virat would not have been available': Gavaskar's blunt take on India duo's ODI return

Sunil Gavaskar's blunt take on Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli's ODI return (ICC Photo)

India's legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar made a shocking remark on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, claiming the choice to make themselves available for the ODI series against Australia was motivated by personal agendas than by the desire to be included in the scheme of things for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

India will begin a three-match ODI and five-match T20I trip of Australia on October 19. The series marks India's preparation for the ODI World Cup in South Africa. It also marks the return of Rohit and Kohli in the international setup following a long gap of seven months. Their last outings for India was at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where India played all their matches in Dubai.

Although BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar didn't commit on the duo being part of India's plans for the World Cup, their success in the upcoming ODIs is anticipated to have a significant impact on the subject.

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Gavaskar was adamant that Rohit and Kohli only made themselves available since the series was against Australia, whom India had lost to at home in the 2023 World Cup final. He added that their break would have persisted if the series had been against Zimbabwe or the West Indies.

“I’m pretty certain that if this were a trip to Zimbabwe or the West Indies, both of them would not have been available. But because this is in Australia, and because India lost to Australia in the World Cup final, maybe that is the reason why both of them have decided, yes, I want to be available for this,” he noted during an interaction with India Today.

The Indian batting legend also acknowledged that Rohit and Kohli's path to World Cup selection would be challenging and primarily rely on their playing time in the format.

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“It depends to a great extent on the number of one-day matches that India plays over the next couple of years. Look, it’s not easy to be playing just seven or eight ODIs in a season while preparing for something as big as a World Cup,” he said. “For those eight white-ball matches, there are probably five T20s and three ODIs. That is not giving much in terms of exposure or practice for players who are approaching the latter stages of their careers."

Gavaskar echoed Agarkar's views and  emphasised that in order for Rohit and Kohli to maintain their hopes of winning the World Cup, they must be available for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

“They will have to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy in India whenever it’s scheduled, if it doesn’t clash with any international ODI tournaments. That’s one way to stay in trim and maintain match practice,” he said.