Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. He believes their experience and leadership will still be very important for India, even with growing age concerns.
Dhawan’s Clear View on Rohit and Kohli
Shikhar Dhawan shared that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still have a lot to offer, especially in big tournaments. According to him, experienced players are very important in pressure matches like the World Cup.
Rohit and Kohli stepped away from Test cricket last year, and with fewer ODI matches being played, questions have been raised about their match practice and fitness. However, Dhawan feels that their experience matters more than anything else.
By the time the 2027 World Cup takes place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, Rohit will be around 40 years old and Kohli around 38. Still, Dhawan clearly said that both players should be part of the squad.
Leadership Changes Before the World Cup
After the successful Champions Trophy 2025, Indian cricket has started moving toward a new leadership setup. Shubman Gill has taken over ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma.
This has created discussion about whether senior players like Rohit and Kohli might step back before the 2027 World Cup. But Dhawan’s statement shows that experienced players are still expected to play a key role along with the younger leaders.
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Recent ODI Form of Rohit and Kohli
Virat Kohli has shown strong form in ODIs recently. His performance against New Zealand proved that he is still one of the best in the format.
| Player | Series | Runs | Matches | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | vs New Zealand (Jan) | 240 | 3 | 80 | 105+ |
| Rohit Sharma | vs New Zealand (Jan) | — | 3 | 20.33 | — |
Kohli scored 240 runs in three matches at an average of 80, showing great consistency. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma had a slightly poor series, averaging just over 20. However, this is seen as a temporary dip.
Dhawan Praises Young Talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Apart from senior players, Dhawan also spoke highly about young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his performance in IPL 2026.
He praised the youngster’s fearless batting style and ability to handle fast bowling above 145 km/h. Dhawan believes that Sooryavanshi could soon make his debut for India.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 400 | 9 | 44.44 | 238.10 | 1 | 2 |
Final Take
Shikhar Dhawan’s comments highlight the importance of experience in big tournaments. While Indian cricket is moving toward a younger leadership group, players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can still play a big role in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
At the same time, young players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are emerging as future stars, giving India a strong mix of experience and youth.
