Watch: “Fitness is…”- MS Dhoni reacts to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing ODI World Cup 2027

The former World Cup-winning captain of the Indian cricket team, MS Dhoni, has reacted to the stars of the blue briagade, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, featuring in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Subhradeep Choudhury
Subhradeep Choudhury

3 mins read
MS Dhoni reacts to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing ODI World Cup 2027

The former Indian World Cup-winning captain, MS Dhoni, has noted on the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the two star batters, heading into the ODI World Cup 2027, scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Both these veterans only feature in the ODIs for the blue brigade, having retired from the longest and shortest formats of the game. 

During a recent interaction on Mahi Unplugged with Jatin Sapru, Dhoni joked and pretended not to hear the question first, before revealing that fitness won’t be a factor for Virat Kohli and Rohit playing in the next ODI World Cup.

See Also: “What worries me…”- MS Dhoni reacts to India’s chances in T20 World Cup 2026

“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 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.” Dhoni expressed in the event.

MS Dhoni seeks Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play ODI WC 2027

Kohli has been in rich form with several centuries in the previous two home centuries against South Africa and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Rohit, apart from the struggling Kiwi series, celebrated three fifties and one century in the six games against Australia and the Proteas.

Watch the video here: 

“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. 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.” Dhoni addressed. 

“When it comes to whether it’s Rohit, Virat, or other names that will come forward in three, five, or ten years, 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?” The Ranchi-born concluded.

Tags:

Follow us on

WATCH NOW

Radisson Blu Miraj Stadium

58 mins ago

Watch: Radisson Blu shares a special video as India’s first 5-Star hotel-integrated cricket stadium set to open soon in Nathdwara

USA players enjoy ‘golgappa’ after T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up game.

1 hr ago

Watch: USA players enjoy ‘golgappa’ after T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up fixture vs India A

Italy players get warm welcome in Chennai

1 hr ago

Watch: Italy players get warm welcome in Chennai ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

It is not my job to announce the winner

Rohit Sharma on being asked if England were rightly awarded the World Cup title in 2019