Former Indian opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan strongly suggested Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to represent Team India in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The 40-year-old believes Ro-Ko has immense fitness and experience that can prove valuable in high-pressure global tournaments.
Rohit and Kohli, who are approaching the twilight of their career now, remain active only in the One Day Internationals (ODIs) format. Despite the duo of veteran cricketers having limited ODIs to play before the World Cup, Dhawan insisted that Ro-Ko have enough matches to play leading up to the marquee tournament.
‘Disrupted Flow’: Shikhar Dhawan About Reduced Match Frequency
Sharing his personal experience of transitioning into a regular format, Shikhar Dhawan opened up on how the reduced match can impact a player’s rhythm in their cricket career. Here is what the former left-handed batter said:
“Yeah! Your flow might get disrupted when you play only a single format at the international level.
As the ODI WC 2027 approaches, they have a plethora of matches to play. But I faced struggles as a one-format player.
There were two consecutive T20 World Cups (in 2021 and 2022), but I was focused only on playing ODIs. So, the number of ODIs won’t be a problem for Rohit and Kohli, as there is ample time left for the tournament,” Dhawan said.
Furthermore, the southpaw backed his former teammates, explaining why they should play the ODI WC 2027:
“Definitely! They can, and they should play the ODI WC. Rohit and Kohli, with huge experience, need to get going into the tournament, which is just a year left to commence,” Dhawan added.
Few ODIs For Rohit and Kohli Before World Cup 2027
With the changing cricket calendar, Rohit and Kohli will now get to feature in only 20 ODIs before the World Cup 2027. If the Asia Cup takes place in a 50-over format ahead of the tournament, there are possibilities for the duo to play more games.
The days when ODIs used to dominate the international cricket calendar are no more. This adds huge concerns about the reduced match frequency for Ro-Ko, the experienced cricketers who are active only in the solo format.
‘They Know to Handle Challenges’ Dhawan About Rohit and Kohli’s Capabilities
Shikhar Dhawan reflected on how the scheduling of the ODI matches could help Rohit and Kohli handle challenges. He believes there is still enough opportunity for the senior duo batters to maintain good form.
“See! It becomes important for players to maintain fitness because they aren’t playing too many matches. There is no doubt that Rohit and Kohli are mature players. They know how to handle challenges and convert them into valuable opportunities.
Observing their fitness, Rohit has undergone a massive transformation, while Virat’s fitness levels have always been outstanding,” Dhawan explained.
Why Rohit and Kohli’s ODI World Cup 2027 Participation is in Doubt?
There are very rare instances where players escaped the age factor, which poses huge concerns for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Especially during the late 30s, athletes’ reflexes slow down and take time to recover from any potential injuries.
By the time South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia co-host the 14th edition of the tournament, Virat Kohli will be 39, while Rohit will be in his 40s.
Both the senior batters have shifted their focus only to ODIs after retiring from test cricket, and the reduced match could impact a player’s rhythm.
Ever since Kohli announced his retirement from the longest format, he has delivered consistent performance in the ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand. Although he kick-started the Australian tour on a struggling note, the run-machine rediscovered his peak form by scoring a match-winning half-century in the series-ending ODI.
Moreover, Virat’s recent form in IPL 2026 has been impressive, ranking among the top contenders for the orange cap.
Conversely, Rohit’s form dipped against New Zealand following an impressive performance in the 3-match ODI series against Australia and South Africa. Also, the Hitman missed four consecutive matches for his team, the Mumbai Indians, this IPL season, which adds huge concern about his fitness and longevity.
Also Read: BCCI Officially Reveals India’s 2026-27 Home Season Schedule
Shikhar Dhawan’s Opinion: An Honest Verdict or Favoritism Towards Ro-Ko?
Shikhar Dhawan expressed his honest opinion, conveying why high-profile tournaments like the World Cup require players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s. The duo’s caliber to maintain composure and lead the squad under pressure can prove valuable for India’s success.
Kohli scored 302 and 240 runs in the 3-match ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand respectively. While Rohit although struggled against New Zealand, exhibited his finest performances against Australia and South Africa.
Mainly, Dhawan belives that India’s squad needs proper balance with talented youngsters along with experienced veteran stars like Rohit and Kohli.
In conclusion, the forthcoming international cricket calendar keeps fans glued to the edge of their seats on how Ro-Ko handle their workload requirements and fitness levels.
