- August 11, 2025
Okay, cricket fans, here’s a contentious one to consider: with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli be in the Indian setup? Both have already taken retirement from T20Is and Tests; the only format left is ODI cricket. But here is the question, should the only confines of the selectors in including them be age, fitness, or even form? Let’s explain why the selectors and fans also should reconsider even flicking the lock to the door on these legends.
Experience Trumps the Numbers Game
Rohit and Kohli have an experience that is hard to replicate in a contest. Come the next global showdown, Rohit will have crossed the 40-year milestone, with Kohli chasing 39 and still hungry for glory. Critics will say they are “past it.” In cricket, this is less of an issue of “miles on the clock,” rather, what the miles represent. These players have professionally learnt how to pace and change an innings, a whole innings, at the same time they are taking on a lot of information about bowlers and building mindset and physical readiness for pressure moments in a game.
No datasheet is going to provide that information. Their cricket smarts and level-headedness in pivotal moments of a game may translate to significant leadership and mentoring, on-field and off-field. Are selectors going to disregard experience and performances when the chips are down, given these players offer a younger body? I would say strongly not.
The Domestic Challenge: A Double-Edged Sword
Staying in the game after Australia? Rohit and Kohli’s invitations hinge on their ability to steal the Vijay Hazare limelight with a stellar display. That’s a tough ask. Imagine asking two cricketing giants to drop down into domestic cricket after dominating the international scene for over a decade. It sounds almost unfair, but it’s also an opportunity. If they’re truly motivated, this grind could reignite their hunger and show that they’re still hungry to contribute.
Yet, it also raises a question—does playing domestic cricket reflect their international readiness? The formats and pressures differ vastly. If performance alone is the yardstick, maybe form should come from wherever they can prove it best, not just a specific tournament. After all, legends like Shikhar Dhawan showed us that international selectors don’t always give the full picture.
Form and Fitness: Not the Whole Story
It’s interesting and easy to say – it’s age or fitness, but cricket has so many counterexamples of players playing well as they get older. Fitness is not just about gym work; it is about injury management, body management, and a way of playing that suits all of those factors. That said, Kohli and Rohit are both very fit, and if they follow modern training principles, they should have no trouble maintaining their standards.
Form is also fickle and can be sudden; a tournament or series can change the entire summer. Think of the greats, i.e., players returning from injuries and then performing when the most is on the line. So, to disregard two of our best players for whatever they are or could be representing (age or performance) could simply provide a risk of going without these last few moments at the highest level.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have long cemented their legacy in cricket, but if their passion remains strong, they deserve a fair chance. Age, form, and fitness matter, but for legends like them, those aren’t the full picture. Selectors should also value their experience, mental strength, and drive.
