‘Age Is Not A Criteria’: MS Dhoni Backs Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli For One Last ODI World Cup Push in 2027
Former India captain MS Dhoni has dismissed age as a deciding factor for senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, backing the duo’s pursuit of winning the ODI World Cup together in Africa in 2027. Both in their late 30s, Kohli and Rohit currently play only one format — One-Day Internationals — and are aiming to continue performing at the highest level heading into the next 50-over World Cup.
Dhoni, 44, who remains part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in the Indian Premier League and is set to continue for another season starting in March this year, addressed the debate around age that has followed India’s batting veterans. The former captain noted that he himself has faced similar questions after almost every IPL season since retiring from international cricket seven years ago.
Speaking on the subject, Dhoni said age should not be a consideration, stressing that performance and fitness are the real parameters.
“Why not (on Kohli, Rohit playing next ODI WC)? The thing is, why somebody should not play the next World Cup? For me, age is not a criteria. Performance, fitness, these are the criteria.
“Is age a factor? No. Fitness factor? Yes. Even if you are 22 and not fit, you cannot play international cricket,” Dhoni emphasised. “If they keep performing and have the urge to do well for the country, then why not? How do you get experienced people otherwise?”
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Dhoni, who led India to its maiden T20 World Cup title in 2007, said experience at the international level can only be built over years of cricket and consistent performances, with rare exceptions.
“You cannot get a 20-year-old who is experienced unless it is someone like Sachin Tendulkar,” he noted. “If people are performing, they will be there, otherwise not. If they are not fit, you can chuck them out.”
Meanwhile, both Kohli and Rohit have enjoyed strong returns in ODIs since the Australian tour late last year. Kohli has been among the runs, scoring 616 runs in nine matches at an average of 88, while also reclaiming the top spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Rohit, on the other hand, found form intermittently, accumulating 409 runs at an average slightly above 50.
With Team India’s next ODI assignment scheduled for July this year, questions surrounding the future of Kohli and Rohit in the format continue to remain in focus.