Watch: “Fitness is…”- 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.

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“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.

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“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.