There has already been a lot of debate around the inclusion of Rohit and Virat for India's ODI World Cup squad despite the tournament still being far away. With both of them still being important figures in the Men in Blue's ODI set-up, they are expected to stay in the team atleast until the World Cup arrives.
“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,” Dhoni said in an interaction with Jatin Sapru.
Dhoni highlights the importance of fitness
Dhoni further emphasised how fitness is a far bigger factor than age when it comes to squad selection. He pointed out how even a young player will not be given an opportunity to play if he isn't fully fit.
“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?" Dhoni added.
Rohit and Virat's recent performance in ODIs
Rohit and Virat have contrasting forms when it comes to ODIs. While the latter has maintained a terrific form ever since returning to international cricket in October, things haven't been the same for the former. Though Rohit was fantastic in the series against Australia and also registered two fifties in the assignment against South Africa, his form dipped in the series against New Zealand. He was able to score just 61 runs in the three matches. On the other hand, Virat proved to be sensational in the home assignments against both the Proteas and the Kiwis, scoring three hundreds and two fifties.
MS Dhoni has made his stance clear: performance and fitness, not the date of birth on a passport, should determine whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
During a recent event (February 2026) with commentator Jatin Sapru, Dhoni addressed the ongoing debate regarding the aging stalwarts. At 44 himself and still active in the IPL, "Captain Cool" provided a refreshing, merit-based perspective that challenges the traditional "youth-first" transition narrative.
🔑 Key Takeaways from Dhoni’s "Honest Take"
1. Age is Just a Number
Dhoni was emphatic that age should not be used as a tool to push players into retirement.
"For me, age is not a criteria. Performance and fitness, these are the criteria... If they keep performing and have the urge to do well for the country, then why not?"
2. The "Experience" Factor
He argued that you cannot simply replace seasoned players with youth and expect the same results under pressure.
The Sachin Comparison: He noted that unless you have a prodigy like Sachin Tendulkar (who debuted at 16), you cannot find a 20-year-old with the experience needed for a World Cup.
Handling the "Pump": Dhoni explained that true experience comes from being "under the pump" in 80–85 games, learning how to "tame the heart" and manage emotions in high-stakes moments.
3. Uniform Treatment for All
He called for a transparent selection policy where a 35-year-old and a 24-year-old are judged by the exact same yardstick.
The Debut Parallel: He recalled that when he debuted at 24, no one talked about his age, so why should it be different now?
Selection Logic: If they aren't fit or performing, they should be "chucked out" regardless of their name—but if they are, they deserve their spot.
📈 The Current Context (2026)
Dhoni's comments come at a crucial time for Indian cricket:
Recent Form: Since returning to ODIs in Australia, Virat Kohli has been on a tear, averaging 88 with three centuries. Rohit Sharma has also remained productive, averaging above 50.
Format Specialization: Both players are now "ODI exclusives" for India, having retired from Test cricket in May 2025.
The Road Ahead: The 2027 World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. By then, Rohit will be 40 and Virat will be 39—ages that Dhoni clearly believes are manageable if the hunger remains.
Would you like me to look up the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup schedule or the current ICC ODI rankings for Rohit and Virat?
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