Harbhajan Singh put a massive question mark over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's chances of playing in the 2027 Cricket World Cup after their retirements from T20I cricket and Test cricket. While Rohit and Virat continue to play ODIs, the 2011 World Cup-winner cast doubt on whether they will be in Team India's plans for the mega event, which will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

While Rohit and Virat quit T20I cricket post the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, they both announced their retirements from red-ball cricket in May, just days before the Indian squad for the England tour was set to be announced. However, the duo have been key to India's success in ODI cricket in recent times, having played a key role in the 2025 Champions Trophy victory and the dream run to the 2023 World Cup final.

Rohit is currently the captain of the Indian ODI team as the national side has three different captains in all formats. However, there has been speculation of a change being on the cards with Shubman Gill tipped to take over but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are yet to comment on the topic.

After the heartbreak of the 2023 WC final defeat, there is hope among Indian fans that Rohit and Virat will lift the sport's biggest prize in 2027. However, Harbhajan has warned that it might not be the case and claimed it will be difficult to play just one format. He also mentioned how MS Dhoni's performances have taken a turn in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after he stopped playing international cricket.

"It's too far, actually. It's been a very long time, and they are not playing any other formats. It becomes very difficult for anyone, no matter how much commitment you have or how big a great you are. If you do not play the game continuously, somewhere the game moves ahead and you are left behind," said Harbhajan in a video on his YouTube Channel.

"It will be hard. We have seen MS Dhoni playing in the IPL. Look at his performance in the last three years. You see the difference between this Dhoni and the Dhoni from six years ago when he was playing for India consistently,” Harbhajan added.

Rohit will also be looking to win the World Cup for the first time in his career while Virat lifted the prize in 2011 on home soil under Dhoni's leadership.

When the tournament arrives in October-November 2027, Rohit would have turned 40 while Virat will celebrate his 39th birthday during the competition.