England Tour A Key Opportunity For Rohit Sharma Ahead Of 2027 ODI World Cup: Sunil Gavaskar

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar has said that India’s upcoming ODI series against England will serve as a strong platform for Rohit Sharma to prove he will continue as an opener for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup.

India will tour England for a three-match ODI series from July 14 to 19 , where senior players including Rohit and, subject to availability, Virat Kohli are expected to return to action in the 50-over format. The series is being seen as an important phase in India’s build-up to the next World Cup cycle.

Gavaskar said Rohit is fully aware of his position in the team setup and what is required to remain in contention. “He knows exactly where he stands… all that he needs to do over the next year-and-a-half leading up to the World Cup is to consistently deliver performances ,” he said during an interaction organised by Sony Sports.

He added that Rohit’s talent, experience and leadership qualities mean he is unlikely to feel undue pressure despite constant scrutiny. According to him, the India captain understands the expectations and the communication flow from team management.

Gavaskar also emphasised that scrutiny in Indian cricket never ends , especially for senior players. “The only way is to keep scoring runs, take catches, and contribute with experience and leadership support to the captain,” he noted.

The former India captain further pointed out that for players above 35, the focus of evaluation shifts more towards fitness and physical conditioning rather than temperament , adding that both Rohit and Kohli are well capable of handling such demands.

He expressed confidence that India’s current white-ball core group has the potential to build a strong and lasting legacy over the next 8–10 years with only minor adjustments.

Gavaskar also reacted to England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ decision to retire from international cricket, saying he expected it slightly later. He described the timing as the only surprise and added that Stokes’ absence would be a significant boost for opposition teams given his impact and quality.