New Delhi: Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should be selected in India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup if they are fit and in form. Harbhajan argued that performance, not age, should be the criteria for selection as he backed the iconic duo to feature in the World Cup next year.
The former India spinner cited the example of Lionel Messi and said if the legendary Argentine footballer can play in a World Cup at 39, why can’t Kohli and Rohit? Messi led Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 this year and played an instrumental role in helping them reach the final, where they lost to Spain.
“If Lionel Messi can continue playing, why can’t Kohli and Rohit?,” Harbhajan said in a podcast interview with PTI as he backed Kohli and Rohit for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Kohli and Rohit have both retired from Tests and T20Is and continue to play only ODIs for India in their late 30s. While Kohli has been one of India’s most consistent performers with the bat of late, questions have often been raised about Rohit’s form and fitness, with many wondering if he can continue playing till the ODI World Cup next year.
However, Harbhajan believes performance should be the only criteria for selection. He also lauded Kohli for his remarkable fitness at the age of 37 and said the star batter is still beating 20-year-olds on the field with his athleticism.
“Whoever the player is, I believe the marker should be performance, not age,” Harbhajan said.
“Virat may be 39 (he is 37), but if he is still beating those 20-year-old guys on the field, it (his age) does not matter. Look at Lionel Messi. At 40 (39), five men fail to stop him,” added the former India spinner.
Both Kohli and Rohit have expressed their desire to continue playing for India till the ODI World Cup next year and have made it clear that they are not willing to give up. Recently, reports went viral that Rohit has been informed by the selectors that he is not in India’s plans for the ODI World Cup next year, suggesting that the Lord’s ODI against England could be his last game for India.
When Rohit Sharma silenced his critics
Rohit silenced his critics in style in the Lord’s ODI against England with a brilliant knock of 138 runs. He became the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic venue. Though his ton came in a losing cause, it was enough to prove Rohit’s class and hunger even at 39 as he aims to continue playing for India till the ODI World Cup next year.
