‘Age Is Not A Criteria’: MS Dhoni Defends Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Amid 2027 World Cup Debate

The question dominating Indian cricket circles today is simple yet loaded: will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma still be part of India's ODI setup when the 2027 World Cup arrives?

With both batters continuing to deliver strong performances despite being deep into their careers, the debate has only intensified among fans and experts alike.

The conversation took an interesting turn when MS Dhoni made a rare public appearance and was drawn into the discussion. Known for avoiding regular cricket commentary since retirement, the former India captain eventually shared a clear and firm viewpoint after being repeatedly prompted by host Jatin Sapru.

Performance Matters More Than Birth Certificates

Dhoni dismissed the obsession with age and instead pointed directly to fitness and output as the real selection benchmarks.

"Why not?" said India's most successful white-ball captain Dhoni. "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. 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."

He further explained that poor fitness is a concern regardless of how young a player may be.

"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?"

Why Experience Cannot Be Replaced Overnight

For Dhoni, experience remains one of the most valuable currencies in international cricket, particularly in global tournaments where pressure is relentless.

"How do you get experienced people? You can't get a 20-year-old who is experienced, unless it's Sachin Tendulkar. You can only get experience if you start playing at 16-17. And international cricket is very different. So now if you want experience, you need people who are 30, 32, 33. If you're calling 20-25 games as experience, that's wrong. If people are performing, they'll be there. If they're not performing, they won't," added MS Dhoni.

Numbers Show The Fire Still Burns

Concerns about longevity largely stem from the timeline. Kohli and Rohit are currently 38, meaning they would be 39 and 40 when the next World Cup is played. Yet history offers a reminder that longevity is achievable. Dhoni himself represented India until the age of 39, with his final outing coming in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Manchester.

Another factor behind the scrutiny is their reduced workload after stepping away from T20Is and Tests. Playing only one format naturally limits match exposure, but recent statistics strongly counter any narrative of decline.

Kohli has accumulated 616 runs across his last seven ODIs, while Rohit has contributed 401 runs from his previous ten appearances. Those returns suggest both veterans remain central to India's batting strength.

Icons Who Continue To Shape The Conversation

Indian cricket has witnessed countless stars, but a select few have commanded unmatched influence across generations: Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Even as the sport evolves, discussions about its future often circle back to these towering figures.

Dhoni's remarks add weight to the argument that careers should not be pre-judged by age alone. As long as hunger, fitness and performance remain intact, the decision ultimately belongs to the players themselves. For now, the possibility of seeing Kohli and Rohit at the 2027 World Cup remains very much alive.