Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma was present at the new BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru along with a few other Indian cricketers to undergo their fitness test. 

Rohit Sharma is now active in only the ODI format for the national team. While he retired from T20I cricket last year just after winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, he retired from Test cricket this year. Before participating in the IPL 2025, Rohit played his last international cricket match during the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where India won the title under his leadership, and Rohit won the Player of the Match award. 

Rohit Sharma's next assignment for the Men in Blues will be the ODI series against the hosts Australia in mid-October, where they will play a three-match ODI series before a five-match T20I series in the same tour. 

See Also: MS Dhoni to join BCCI for very special role?

Is Rohit Sharma eyeing the ODI World Cup 2027?

According to a source information, the present Indian ODI captain is completely fit. Rohit isn't only looking at the upcoming ODI series in Australia; he is also looking way ahead. It means that he can eye the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, which South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will host in October-November 2027. 

The source said, "Rohit Sharma is in very good shape and looking very fit. And he is not only focused on the Australia series but also on what’s ahead."

Under Rohit Sharma's leadership, Team India narrowly missed lifting the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 trophy at home. While they reached the Final of the tournament by winning all the matches of the tournament, they lost the Final against Australia.

Virat Kohli isn't present in the fitness test 

Meanwhile, another Indian legendary cricketer, Virat Kohli, who is also active in only the ODI format, has no news about his status for the fitness test. However, he recently shared a social media picture to confirm to everyone that he is getting ready to serve his nation once again.  

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary, who served for India and four different IPL teams, including winning the IPL 2012 trophy with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after scoring the title-winning run, recently spoke about the former Indian captain Virat Kohli. He opened up Kohli's chances for the next ODI World Cup. 

While the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is very near, India will soon also start to prepare for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, which South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will host in October-November 2027. 

The 36-year-old former all-format Indian captain Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batters in international cricket history. While he retired from the T20I format after winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, he retired from Test cricket this year. Kohli is now active in the ODI format and also serving for his IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who won their first IPL title in the latest season. 

Kohli is still one of the fittest cricketers at present, which he has proved during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and IPL 2025. Kohli was the fifth leading run-scorer in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with 218 runs in five innings with an average of 54.50, including one century and one half-century. The right-handed batter was also the third leading run-scorer in the IPL 2025 with 657 runs in 15 matches with an average of 54.75. 

See Also: "He May Have Retired Out of Frustration" – Ex India Cricketer’s Massive Statement on Cheteshwar Pujara

Very difficult to keep out Virat Kohli from the plans for 2027 World Cup: Manoj Tiwary

The BCCI has now introduced the Bronco Test for the national team selection. Manoj Tiwary, who played 12 ODIs and three T20Is, is confident that Kohli will pass the Bronco Test, but the present Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma may struggle. Tiwary believes that it will be hard to keep Kohli out of the next ODI World Cup.  

Tiwary told CricTracker, “I think it will be very difficult to keep out Virat Kohli from the plans for 2027 World Cup. But I have a doubt that they are going to look at Rohit Sharma into the scheme of things." 

Virat Kohli: 2nd most run-scorer in ODI World Cup history

Kohli is the second leading run-scorer (1795 runs) in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup history, just behind Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar (2278 runs). While India just missed their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 title by losing their only game of the tournament in the Final against Australia, Kohli finished as the leading run-scorer with 765 runs, as the Player of the Tournament had an average of 95.62, including three centuries and six half-centuries.   

Kohli was a key member of the Indian team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. However, the former Indian captain is still hungry and ready for his next mission. 

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that 44 of the 54 matches at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will take place at eight venues in South Africa, while the other ten matches will be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia, who are co-hosts of the event. The confirmation came during the announcement of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) on Thursday, which included the selection of a former finance minister, Trevor Manuel, to chair a committee as an independent chairperson in the preparations for the global event. This will be the first ICC men's event in South Africa since the 2009 Champions Trophy and is the first time that the 50-over World Cup is played on African soil since 2003.

Shortlisted Locations in South Africa

The eight venues chosen by CSA blend traditional cricketing venues with iconic locations that have hosted historic matches:

• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Cape Town
• Durban
• Gqeberha
• Bloemfontein
• East London
• Paarl

A Historic Return of the World Cup to Africa

The 2027 edition marks 24 years since the last Men's ODI World Cup held in South Africa. The CSA chairperson, Pearl Maphoshe, said it was an opportunity to showcase the country's and the continent's diverse reality. 
"CSA's vision is to deliver a global, inspiring event which is a reflection of the face of South Africa - diverse, inclusive and united."

CSA president Rihan Richards said the tournament will also offer a once-in-a-million experience to expand the fans to reach new fans and deepen cricket's footprint across Africa.

"This makes the 2027 CWC a once-in-a-lifetime event to create a unique quad for expanding our global footprint, as well as engaging existing fans through digital innovation, while connecting with the African continent and the rest of the world."

ALSO SEE: Revised fixtures announced for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Local Organising Committee (LOC)

The LOC for the World Cup will consist of independent and non-independent directors, ministry representatives, and CSA representatives.

Independent Chair

• Trevor Manuel

CSA Members Council and Board Appointments

• Johannes Adams - President of Western Province
• Yunus Bobat - President of KwaZulu-Natal
• Vuyani Jarana - CSA Board Member

Ministry Appointments

• Advocate Philip October
• Unathi Matthew Tshotwana

Independent Directors

• Herman Bosman
• Nomfanelo Magwentshu
• Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
• Ravi Naidoo
• Dr Stavros Nicolaou
• Advocate Karrisha Pillay SC

CSA Staff

• Pholetsi Moseki – CSA CEO
• Refentse Shinners – CSA Public Affairs Executive
• Tjaart van der Walt – CSA COO

Past ICC Events in South Africa

South Africa has a great past hosting ICC events:

• 2003 Men's ODI World Cup (co-hosted with Zimbabwe and Kenya)
• 2007 inaugural Men's T20 World Cup
• 2009 Champions Trophy
• 2005 Women's ODI World Cup
• 2023 Women's T20 World Cup (where the Proteas made it to a final for the first time.)

The 2027 World Cup will take place with 44 matches across South Africa and 10 matches across Zimbabwe and Namibia, which should provide a truly pan-African cricketing celebration that's as diverse as the continent and as colourful.

On his visit to Namibia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated and wished the best for the country to co-host the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. Here, we have brought the details of the next ODI World Cup. 

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027: Hosts (Who will host the next ODI World Cup)

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is a quadrennial tournament that has been played in the One-Day International (ODI) format. The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 will be the 14th edition of this tournament, which the African countries South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will host jointly in October-November 2027. South Africa and Zimbabwe are the ICC Full Members, who are active in Test cricket. Meanwhile, Cricket Namibia is an active ICC Associate Member.

It will be the first time that Namibia will host a senior ICC tournament. Meanwhile, South Africa and Zimbabwe previously jointly hosted the ODI World Cup in the 2003 edition along with the Associate nation Kenya, as all those nations experienced their first-ever ICC World Cup hosting. 

See Also: Historic Win for Italy: Beats Scotland to Lead Race for 2026 T20 World Cup

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027: Key Hosting Details

After the 10-team ODI World Cup competitions for the last two editions, the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 is returning with 14 teams, last featured in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand. As the ICC Full Members, South Africa and Zimbabwe have directly qualified for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. However, the Associate Namibia haven't earned this luxury as the co-hosts have earned any direct spot, and need to participate in the Qualifier to earn the qualification for the tournament. 

Namibia are participating in the 2024–2026 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, from where they have to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 Qualifier. From the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 Qualifier, the top four teams will earn the ultimate ticket for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027.  

Cricket South Africa has selected eight venues for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket and Cricket Namibia are working to select multiple strong venues for the next ODI World Cup.  

Before the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, Zimbabwe and Namibia will jointly host the ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup 2026. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished the best for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 co-hosts Namibia. Also, he has extended the country's hand to the growth of cricket in Namibia. 

PM Modi is visiting the Southern African country Namibia at the invitation of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The Indian PM has been conferred with the highest civilian honour in Namibia, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis.

See Also: Historic Win for Italy: Beats Scotland to Lead Race for 2026 T20 World Cup

Wishing Namibia great success in co-hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup: PM Narendra Modi

In this special visit, the Indian PM had a speech where he included the best wishes for their co-hosting the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be their first ever ICC tournament hosting in senior cricket. Namibia will host this tournament with the Test-playing nations South Africa and Zimbabwe, where 14 teams will participate in the tournament.  

Namibia: PM Narendra Modi says, "I conclude by wishing Namibia great success in co-hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup. And if your Eagles need any cricket tips — you know whom to call!" pic.twitter.com/R6knyHKlZ1

— IANS (@ians_india) July 9, 2025

However, unlike the Test-playing members or ICC Full Members South Africa and Zimbabwe, who have earned the direct qualification for the 14-team tournament ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, the Associate Member Namibia will have to participate in the Qualifiers to qualify for the 14th edition of the ODI World Cup. Three Namibian venues are expected to host the next ODI World Cup, including FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. 

Namibia in international cricket

Namibia have played one Men's ODI World Cup in 2003, when South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya co-hosted the tournament, and the last three Men's T20 World Cups (2021, 2022, and 2024). 

While Namibia men's U19 team is known as one of the best associates, the country will co-host the upcoming ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 with Zimbabwe.