Former India captain MS Dhoni feels that iconic batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are more than capable of featuring in the 2027 ODI World Cup. With Kohli and Rohit set to be 38 and 40 respectively by the time the tournament comes around, there has been widespread debate over whether they will take part in the showpiece event.
Both veterans have already stepped away from Test and T20I cricket, but despite limiting themselves to a single format, the right-handers have continued to deliver outstanding performances in ODIs. When asked about their prospects of playing in the 2027 World Cup, Dhoni responded, as quoted by the Indian Express:
“Why not? Listen, the thing is—why should somebody not play the next World Cup? For me, age is not a criteria. Performance and fitness, these are the criteria.”
“I always feel nobody should be told anything, but things should be clear: everyone will be treated the same way. Is age a factor? No. Is fitness a factor? Yes, fitness is a factor. Even if you’re 22, if you’re not fit, you shouldn’t be there; there are criteria for playing international cricket.”
He further added:
“When it comes to whether it’s Rohit, Virat, or other names that will come forward in three, five, or ten years’ time, the whole thing is this: just because somebody is in their 30s, it’s not for us to decide whether they can play the next World Cup. It’s for them to decide. If they keep performing and have the urge to do well for the country, then why not?”
MS Dhoni Shares Blunt View On Player Performance
MS Dhoni feels that selection should be based purely on form and fitness, irrespective of how big the tournament is. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli underlined that approach by playing key batting roles in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy triumph, leading from the front in the final and the semifinal respectively.
“If people are performing, they’ll be there. If they aren’t, they won’t. People often say the next World Cup is three or four years down the line—well, if a guy isn’t fit by then, you can drop him at any point. If he’s not performing, you’ll drop him anyway.”
“There should be no question regarding any individual when it comes to selection. There is only one criteria: if you’re performing and you’re fit, keep on playing,” said Dhoni (via the aforementioned source).
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