New Delhi: India batter Rinku Singh has expressed his hope that veteran stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup and help India lift the coveted trophy.
With the participation of both players in next year’s tournament yet to be confirmed, Rinku said their presence would make the event particularly significant for Indian cricket.
Rinku, speaking to JioStar, described Kohli and Rohit as legends and said he hoped the two senior batters would be part of India’s World Cup campaign. The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The comments come ahead of India’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies, beginning on September 27. Both Kohli and Rohit have retained their places in India’s ODI squad for the series.
Rinku hopes Kohli and Rohit lift World Cup trophy
Rinku said he was not alone in hoping to see the two former India captains play in the 2027 World Cup.
“They are legends, both Virat bhaiya and Rohit bhaiya,” Rinku said in his interaction with JioStar. He added that he hoped they would play in the World Cup and be part of the team that eventually wins the title.
Rinku also acknowledged that the 2027 tournament could potentially be the final World Cup appearance for the two experienced players.
He said their participation and a possible title triumph would be a major moment for the country as well as for the two cricketers.
India’s last ODI World Cup title came in 2011. The team reached the final of the 2023 edition but lost to Australia.
2027 World Cup places remain undecided
While Rinku has expressed his desire to see the two senior batters in India’s squad, their participation in the 2027 World Cup is not guaranteed at this stage.
Both players have retired from T20 internationals, but they remain available for ODI cricket. Their continued selection will depend on factors including form, fitness and the selectors’ plans as India builds towards the next 50-over World Cup.
Rohit and Kohli have been named in India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The series begins on September 27 and provides another opportunity for both players to continue their ODI careers.
The selection also keeps the possibility of their involvement in the 2027 World Cup open, although a final decision on the tournament squad will come at a later stage.
Kohli and Rohit bring extensive ODI experience
Kohli and Rohit have been central figures in India’s ODI cricket for more than a decade.
Kohli has built a prolific record in the format, while Rohit has been one of India’s most successful opening batters. Both have also led India in major international tournaments.
Their experience in ODI cricket could be particularly relevant as India prepares for a World Cup that will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
However, the conditions and demands of the tournament will only become relevant if the players remain part of India’s plans through the selection process.
For now, their inclusion in the West Indies ODI squad confirms that both remain part of India’s current ODI set-up.
Rinku wants to be remembered for more than five sixes
During the same interaction, Rinku also spoke about his own career ambitions.
The left-handed batter became widely known after his memorable performance for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2023 IPL, when he hit five consecutive sixes in the final over against Gujarat Titans.
However, Rinku said he wants his legacy to extend beyond that performance.
He expressed a desire to be remembered for contributing to India’s World Cup victories rather than only for the five sixes that brought him widespread attention.
Rinku was part of India’s victorious 2026 T20 World Cup campaign on home soil. He has so far played two ODIs and 48 T20Is for India.
Rinku dreams of playing Test cricket
Rinku also addressed the perception that he is primarily a white-ball cricketer.
The batter said he wants to play Test cricket for India and believes his domestic record across formats demonstrates his ability to contribute beyond T20 cricket.
Rinku pointed to his experience in domestic one-day and four-day cricket and said he plays all three formats at the domestic level.
For India, however, his appearances have so far been limited mainly to T20 cricket, alongside two ODI appearances.
He said earning a Test cap remains one of his ambitions and that he wants people to view him as a player capable of performing across all three formats.
Leadership is another area of focus
Rinku also spoke about his development as a leader.
He has taken on leadership responsibilities in domestic cricket and captained his team in the Uttar Pradesh League. He also served as vice-captain of Kolkata Knight Riders last season.
Rinku said he continues to learn about leadership by observing experienced players and captains.
He specifically mentioned Ajinkya Rahane at KKR and Suryakumar Yadav, whom he observed during their time together in the Indian team.
The batter said he is still developing his leadership skills and hopes to take on greater responsibility in the future.
India begins West Indies ODI series on September 27
The immediate focus for Kohli and Rohit will be India’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies.
The three-match series starts on September 27 and will provide the two senior batters with another opportunity to contribute in the 50-over format.
For India, the series is also part of the longer preparation cycle leading towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.
With roughly a year remaining before the tournament, selection decisions will continue to evolve based on player performances and the team’s requirements.
Rinku’s comments have added to the discussion surrounding Kohli and Rohit’s possible participation, but they do not represent an official selection decision.
Conclusion
Rinku Singh has expressed his wish to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma represent India at the 2027 ODI World Cup and help the team win the title. He described both players as legends and said their potential final World Cup would make their involvement particularly meaningful.
Kohli and Rohit remain part of India’s ODI plans for now, having been selected for the upcoming West Indies series. However, their participation in the 2027 World Cup remains to be decided. Meanwhile, Rinku has outlined his own ambitions of winning World Cups, playing Test cricket and developing his leadership skills.