MS Dhoni Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Gautam Gambhir. Image Credits: X
Despite the T20 World Cup 2026 commencing in just a few days, fans are already dreaming about lifting the trophy in the 2027 World Cup. Amid the hype, a burning question looms large—will age deny Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli one last shot at the ultimate prize?
Fans badly want the duo to feature on the marquee event, but the buzz is growing over their participation. When former India captain MS Dhoni was asked about it, his unexpected response instantly won hearts.
MS Dhoni backs Kohli and Rohit for one last World Cup dance in 2027
In the 2023 World Cup, when Team India was conquering on the big stage, billions of Indian fans dreamt of Rohit Sharma and Co. lifting the trophy. But the reality took a bizarre turn as they faced a heartbreaking defeat against Australia. As the team ended the tournament with an unfulfilled wish, fans are now hoping for a successful outing in the upcoming 2027 World Cup.
Team India will head to South Africa for the next World Cup, but the biggest question remains whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be part of the squad. By that time, both the greats will be in their late 30s, and the world will be pointing fingers at their age. When MS Dhoni was asked about this, he said that age should not be the criterion.
“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. When I made my debut, I was 24. Nobody came and told me anything then. So now, if I’m playing for India for one year, two years, ten years, or twenty years—whatever it is—nobody needs to come and tell me about my age,” he said.
“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. 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?” he added.
Dhoni underlines why experience could be India’s biggest World Cup weapon
After stepping away from Tests and T20Is, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are now fully focused on the 50-over format. Keeping future scenarios in mind, Shubman Gill has taken the captaincy baton from the Hitman in the ODIs. Even though the world stresses over the young guns, MS Dhoni stressed how invaluable experience is in high-pressure tournaments like the World Cup.
“How do you get experienced people? You can’t get a 20-year-old who’s experienced unless it’s Sachin Tendulkar. You can only get experience if you start playing when you’re 16 or 17, and international cricket is very different. If you want experience, you need people who are 30, 32, or 33—because that’s what experience actually is. If you’re calling 20 or 25 games ‘experience,’ that’s not it. You need people who have been under the pump in their job,” he said.
“This becomes even more crucial for people batting down the order or bowlers who bowl those death overs when games are close. As a bowler, if I’m under the pump 15 or 20 times, I might have to play 80 or 85 games to truly experience that—to know how to tame my heart, tame my emotions, and handle the pressure,” he added.
Will RO-KO return for one last World Cup showdown in 2027?
As the ODI format remains the sole focus area for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the veteran batters are shining bright. Rohit thrilled fans with a standout outing in the ODI series against Australia last year, while Kohli lit up the big stage with exceptional performances against South Africa and New Zealand.
The 2027 ODI World Cup is still some way away, and the legends are in great touch. As the speculation is going over their ODI future, team management is unlikely to make any heartbreaking move. With nothing confirmed yet, fans are already dreaming of RO-KO lifting the trophy in 2027.
