Rinku Singh Backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to Win ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 for India
Rinku Singh has expressed his strong desire for cricketing stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to be part of India's 2027 ODI World Cup campaign. The young finisher highlighted India's 16-year wait for a 50-over global title, believing their presence would be crucial for the team.
Emerging Indian finisher Rinku Singh has publicly expressed his hope that cricketing legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be part of India's squad for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, urging them to help the nation lift the coveted trophy. Speaking to JioStar, Singh highlighted India's 16-year drought in the 50-over format, noting, 'We last won it in 2011'. Jasprit Bumrah Goes Pillow Hunting in Japan as Axar Patel Captures Viral Video Ahead of Asian Games 2026.
India last clinched the ODI World Cup title in 2011 on home soil under MS Dhoni's captaincy, following their maiden triumph in 1983. Since then, the Men in Blue have experienced several near misses, including a runners-up finish in the 2023 edition.
The Veteran Presence: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been pivotal figures in Indian cricket for over a decade. By the time the 2027 World Cup commences in October, Rohit Sharma, born on April 30, 1987, will be 40 years old, while Virat Kohli, born on November 5, 1988, will be 38, turning 39 during the tournament. Their potential involvement at this stage of their careers has been a subject of discussion within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with reports indicating 'honest and professional conversations' regarding their ODI future.
A BCCI source reportedly stated in August 2025 that while no one would force the legends to retire, it's crucial to assess their physical and mental readiness, as well as team balance, given the focus on a youth-driven transition. Furthermore, between now and the 2027 World Cup, India is slated to play only 27 ODIs, and with Kohli and Rohit reportedly no longer part of the T20I or Test setups, following their retirements from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup and from Test cricket in 2025, their sporadic participation in ODIs could impact their rhythm and form. IND vs NZ 2026: Mitchell Santner to Lead New Zealand’s 16-Man T20I Squad; Adam Milne Returns, Rachin Ravindra Ruled Out.
Rinku Singh's Rising Stock
Rinku Singh, known for his explosive batting and finishing prowess, has rapidly established himself as a key player in India's limited-overs setup. As of September 2026, the left-handed batter has featured in 2 One Day Internationals and 48 T20 Internationals.
Rinku Singh's International Stats (as of Sep 23, 2026)
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 2 | 2 | 55 | 38 | 27.50 | 134.15 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| T20I | 48 | 35 | 702 | 69 | 36.95 | 156.35 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Singh was also a reserve player for India's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. His own impressive performances and growing experience at the international level lend weight to his call for the veterans' continued presence. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Named in India Squad for West Indies Series; Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi Also Included,
The 2027 ODI World Cup
The 14th edition of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027. The tournament will feature matches across 12 venues, with eight in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe, and one in Namibia. This marks the return of the prestigious 50-over event to the African continent after 24 years, following the 2003 edition, promising an exciting and challenging environment for all participating teams.
Whether Kohli and Sharma answer Rinku's call and feature in what could be their final World Cup appearance remains to be seen, but the sentiment from the younger generation clearly highlights their enduring importance to Indian cricket.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2026 03:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
