Former England spinner Graham Swann recently spoke about the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in ODI cricket. Swann said questions about who would eventually replace the two Indian stars are natural ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October-November.
Shubman Gill-led India have two ODIs left in the ongoing series against Afghanistan. After the ongoing series, the team will travel to England for a three-match ODI series in July, where Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to play key roles in India’s preparations for the upcoming ODI World Cup.
It’s Inevitable – Graham Swann talks Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future
Speaking to PTI, Graeme Swann said fans and pundits usually start looking for the next generation of players when the senior stars reach the latter stages of their careers.
“It’s inevitable for any player when he reaches the latter stages of his career that people start looking for a successor. No matter how well you do, even if you are at the top of your game, people still ask who will be the next Virat and who will be the next Rohit. It’s completely natural.”
VIDEO | India may still have two one-off military operations against Afghanistan left, but talk of the future is never far away when it comes to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Former England international Graeme Swann believes it’s just a reality faced by every great player in… pic.twitter.com/wURcli3xSO
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 14, 2026
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired from T20Is and Test Cricket but continue to represent India in ODIs. The two veterans were instrumental in India’s run to the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup by leading the team’s run-scorers.
During the tournament, Rohit and Virat combined for 1,362 runs in 22 innings, including four centuries and nine half-centuries. India won the first 10 matches before losing the final.
The moment you have a low score or two… – Graham Swann on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Graeme Swann said Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are coming under increased scrutiny as young talents start to push for places in the national team. He added that even a couple of low scores can raise questions about their future, especially when promising youngsters are waiting for an opportunity.
“The moment you get one or two low scores, everyone starts looking over your shoulder to see who’s next in line. With Vaibhav Suoryavanshi and some other youngsters coming through, it puts even more pressure on the senior players, especially those at the top of the Indian batting order.”
Virat, 37, and Rohit, 39, remain key players in India’s ODIs. However, with the 2027 ODI World Cup looming, the team management will continue to assess their long-term plans while giving opportunities to young players.
I would have to say Virat Kohli – Graham Swann
Graham Swann said Virat Kohli continues to improve despite being in the latter stages of his career. He also praised Rohit Sharma’s form and noted that both the batsmen looked excellent during IPL 2026.
“I think you would have to say Virat, just because of the way the IPL went. Players are supposed to decline towards the end of their career and get worse and worse, but Virat seems to be getting better and better. Rohit Sharma also looked great during the IPL. The difference was that Mumbai did not perform like RCB. RCB reached the final and Virat scored well there as well.”
Royal Challengers Bengaluru made it to the finals of IPL 2026, while Mumbai Indians fell short despite Rohit’s stellar performances. Virat and Rohit remain key figures in India’s ODI plans as the team approaches the World Cup. Notably, Virat has been ruled out of the ODI series in Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury.