Virat, Rohit's 2027 World Cup future not meant for public consumption: BCCI Secretary
BCCI secretary Saikia refused to discuss Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's place in India's 2027 World Cup plans, saying such decisions belong in the boardroom. He also said India's bilateral cricket with Bangladesh will be guided strictly by Government of India policy, not political changes there.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has refused to publicly discuss India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, insisting that conversations regarding the team's long-term roadmap remain an internal matter. His remarks come amid growing speculation over whether veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will feature in India's squad for the next 50-over World Cup.
The futures of Kohli and Rohit have been a major talking point ever since India lifted the 2025 Champions Trophy, with both senior stars expressing their desire to continue playing ODI cricket ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Speaking to PTI, Saikia made it clear that discussions around squad planning and player futures are ongoing but are not intended for public consumption.
"We have a very well-knit team and a lot of experts. All stakeholders are taken on board," Saikia said. "Whatever decisions that are made involve the cricket committee, the selectors and all other stakeholders, including the support staff, the head coach and the players concerned. There are regular conversations taking place. For that reason, we do not need any special session of interaction. This is an ongoing process."
The comments come at a time when questions continue to be raised about the role of senior players in India's preparations for the 2027 World Cup. While both Rohit and Kohli have repeatedly indicated that they are keen to play the tournament, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have avoided making any commitments regarding the composition of the future squad.
Saikia maintained that strategic discussions concerning team building and player management should remain within the boardroom.
"I do not think I should disclose anything before the media or the public because these are strategic discussions. I am not authorised to speak about them before the media," he said. "Secondly, these are matters that should remain within the boardroom."
BCCI TO FOLLOW GOVERNMENT DIKTAT ON BANGLADESH
Saikia also addressed India's cricketing relationship with Bangladesh, which came under scrutiny after India's scheduled white-ball tour of the neighbouring nation was postponed amid political unrest.
Bangladesh has since seen political changes, with former captain Tamim Iqbal taking over as president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. However, Saikia stressed that the BCCI's decisions regarding bilateral cricket are guided entirely by the policies of the Government of India.
"The BCCI is a cricketing controlling board, and we have nothing to do with what is going on politically in other countries," Saikia said. "As the BCCI, we follow whatever policy the Government of India has in place regarding participation in bilateral and multinational sporting events. Whatever regulations and policies the central government frames, we follow them, just like any other sports federation."
He further clarified that the BCCI does not concern itself with the nature of governments in other countries.
"We are not concerned with who is running the government in a particular country, whether it is democratically elected, undemocratically elected or an autocratic government. That is none of our business," he added. "Our job is to run cricket. Whenever there is a scheduled tour to a foreign country for bilateral matches, we will proceed according to our plans and schedules."
Meanwhile, India took an unassailable lead against Afghanistan in the ongoing three-match ODI series with the final game set to be played on June 20, Saturday in Chennai.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has refused to publicly discuss India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, insisting that conversations regarding the team's long-term roadmap remain an internal matter. His remarks come amid growing speculation over whether veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will feature in India's squad for the next 50-over World Cup.
The futures of Kohli and Rohit have been a major talking point ever since India lifted the 2025 Champions Trophy, with both senior stars expressing their desire to continue playing ODI cricket ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Speaking to PTI, Saikia made it clear that discussions around squad planning and player futures are ongoing but are not intended for public consumption.
"We have a very well-knit team and a lot of experts. All stakeholders are taken on board," Saikia said. "Whatever decisions that are made involve the cricket committee, the selectors and all other stakeholders, including the support staff, the head coach and the players concerned. There are regular conversations taking place. For that reason, we do not need any special session of interaction. This is an ongoing process."
The comments come at a time when questions continue to be raised about the role of senior players in India's preparations for the 2027 World Cup. While both Rohit and Kohli have repeatedly indicated that they are keen to play the tournament, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have avoided making any commitments regarding the composition of the future squad.
Saikia maintained that strategic discussions concerning team building and player management should remain within the boardroom.
"I do not think I should disclose anything before the media or the public because these are strategic discussions. I am not authorised to speak about them before the media," he said. "Secondly, these are matters that should remain within the boardroom."
BCCI TO FOLLOW GOVERNMENT DIKTAT ON BANGLADESH
Saikia also addressed India's cricketing relationship with Bangladesh, which came under scrutiny after India's scheduled white-ball tour of the neighbouring nation was postponed amid political unrest.
Bangladesh has since seen political changes, with former captain Tamim Iqbal taking over as president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. However, Saikia stressed that the BCCI's decisions regarding bilateral cricket are guided entirely by the policies of the Government of India.
"The BCCI is a cricketing controlling board, and we have nothing to do with what is going on politically in other countries," Saikia said. "As the BCCI, we follow whatever policy the Government of India has in place regarding participation in bilateral and multinational sporting events. Whatever regulations and policies the central government frames, we follow them, just like any other sports federation."
He further clarified that the BCCI does not concern itself with the nature of governments in other countries.
"We are not concerned with who is running the government in a particular country, whether it is democratically elected, undemocratically elected or an autocratic government. That is none of our business," he added. "Our job is to run cricket. Whenever there is a scheduled tour to a foreign country for bilateral matches, we will proceed according to our plans and schedules."
Meanwhile, India took an unassailable lead against Afghanistan in the ongoing three-match ODI series with the final game set to be played on June 20, Saturday in Chennai.
