Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from Tests, and ODIs remain the only format where the veterans will represent the country. It was expected that the two stalwarts would bid adieu to the 50-over format after the 2023 ODI World Cup, but the defeat to Australia in the final prolonged their ODI careers.

Kohli and Rohit won't be active throughout the years, so maintaining their form and fitness will be challenging. It would be vital for the players to keep performing in the format to make a case for the India squad for the ODI World Cup.

India's Likely Squad For the ODI World Cup

India's likely squad for the ODI World Cup should be quite similar to the one that featured in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Unless Rohit and Kohli have a really bad run in the format, they should find a place in the squad. Rohit could also step down from ODI leadership, with Shubman Gill taking over. This could be done because there is no certainty that Rohit would be around till the ODI World Cup. As said earlier, his participation will depend on his form, so it would best to have a new captain in the format.KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Yashasvi Jaiswal should also find a place in the squad as specialist batters. Rishabh Pant will have to perform exceptionally well in the format to keep his place. If not, Sanju Samson could be a great replacement. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel should be specialist all-rounders. Since the tournament will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the focus will be more on having a strong pace attack. Jasprit Bumrah might shift focus to T20Is and Test matches, doing away with ODIs as part of his workload management. Mohammed Shami's participation should be based on his fitness, but given the conditions, the selectors would be keen to have him if he is fit and firing. Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj should be part of the squad as well. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav should be the two spinners in the squad. India's Likely Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson/Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana