As Indian cricket continues to digest the back-to-back Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, former captain Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on what the future could look like for the legendary duo-particularly in the ODI format.

Despite their intent to continue playing one-day internationals, Gavaskar has expressed doubts over their presence in the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Rohit and Kohli have both stepped away from the longest format of the game and had previously announced their T20I retirements following the 2024 T20 World Cup.

That leaves the 50-over format as their only remaining commitment to Indian cricket. However, with the next World Cup over two years away and both players in their mid-to-late thirties, the legendary Gavaskar believes the selectors will have a tough call to make.

"They (Rohit and Kohli) have been massive performers in this format of the game," Gavaskar told India Today. "Again, the selection committee will probably be looking at the 2027 World Cup. They will be looking at 'will they be able to be in the team for the 2027 World Cup? Will they be able to make the kind of contributions they have been making?' That will be the thought process of the selection committee."

While the Indian legend acknowledged their immense value, Gavaskar was candid in sharing his own belief: "No, I don't think they will be playing. I am being very honest."

Yet, he didn't entirely rule out their participation. "Who knows, in the next year or so, if they strike a rich vein of form, and if they keep scoring hundreds and hundreds, even God can't drop them."

With the Indian team undergoing a generational shift and the next ODI cycle beginning soon, all eyes will be on whether the two stalwarts can maintain their elite performance levels-and force their way into the squad on merit.