Are Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma ready to play in 2027 ODI World Cup? MS Dhoni answers

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are only active in the 50-over format.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the two most experienced batters in the Indian Cricket Team. Following their retirements from tests and T20Is, their next focus is to feature in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.

Moreover, it can also be the final campaign for both veteran players in international cricket. Last year, Rohit Sharma rocked with his performances in the ODI series against Australia by winning the Player of the Series award.

Virat Kohli showcased a marvellous form in the series against South Africa in December, smacking two tons and a fifty to steal POTS. He followed up with his brilliant show in the ODI series against New Zealand last month, scoring a half-century and a century.

Both of them are among the top five ODI batters in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rankings at the moment. Although they have justified their spot in the ODI team with their current form, age is one factor that concerns selectors about RO-KO’s future.

MS Dhoni backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for ODI World Cup 2027

Speaking during a recent event, MS Dhoni backed Rohit and Kohli for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The former Indian captain believed that age should not be a criterion for determining a player’s place in the team. He also added that performance and fitness are more crucial factors than age.

“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 are. So, I always feel nobody should be told anything. But the thing should be clear. Everyone will be treated the same way,” he said.

“When I made my debut, I was 24. Nobody came and told me anything. So if I am playing for India – 1, 2, 5 or 10 years – nobody needs to come and tell me about my age. Is age a factor? No. Fitness? Yes,” Dhoni added.

Dhoni, who is gearing up for IPL 2026, feels that if a player is performing well even in their 30s, then they deserve a place in the team.

“Even if you’re 22 and you’re not fit, that’s a problem. Whether it’s Rohit, whether it’s Virat, or even other names that come forward. The whole thing is, just because somebody is in their 30s, whether they can or cannot play the next World Cup, it’s not for us to decide. It’s for them to decide. If they keep performing, if they have to urge to do well, then why not?”, he concluded.

Meanwhile, Rohit and Kohli will next play for India in the away ODI against England in July. The Indian Cricket Team will be busy with the T20 World Cup 2026 from February to March.

Later, the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) will take place from the last week of March to the end of May. While Rohit will represent the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2026, Kohli will play for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

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