Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: As India begin shaping their roadmap towards the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, former captain MS Dhoni has thrown his weight behind senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, insisting that performance and fitness — not age — should determine their future in ODI cricket. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking at a recent event, Dhoni made it clear that experienced players should not be written off simply because they are in their 30s, especially with scrutiny increasing after both stalwarts stepped away from Test cricket last year.

“Why not? The thing is, why somebody should not play the next World Cup? For me, age is not a criteria. Performance, fitness, these are the criteria,” Dhoni said, adding that no player should be judged purely on numbers associated with age. “Is age a factor? No. Fitness factor? Yes. Even if you are 22 and not fit, you cannot play international cricket.” Dhoni emphasised that decisions on longevity ultimately belong to the players themselves: “If they keep performing and have the urge to do well for the country, then why not? How do you get experienced people otherwise?”The World Cup-winning skipper also stressed the value of seasoned campaigners in a young dressing room. “You cannot get a 20-year-old who is experienced unless it is someone like Sachin Tendulkar,” he noted, pointing out that experience is built over years of high-pressure matches. “If people are performing, they will be there, otherwise not. If they are not fit, you can chuck them out,” he added.

Dhoni’s remarks come as both Rohit and Kohli continue to build their ODI credentials. Since the Australia tour, Kohli has amassed 616 runs in nine matches at an average of 88, while Rohit has contributed 409 runs @ 51 average. With the next ODI assignment scheduled in England from July, the debate over India’s senior core heading into 2027 remains firmly alive.