MS Dhoni Sees No Problem in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Playing the 2027 World Cup

MS Dhoni also ruled out a commentary career, citing poor stats knowledge and the difficulty of balancing criticism and praise in analyzing players.

MS Dhoni Sees No Problem in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Playing the 2027 World Cup

MS Dhoni backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to continue playing for India, untile 2027 WC. (via India Today)

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Legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni put his weight behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, proposing that the duo should play at the 2027 ODI World Cup. Dhoni dismissed age as a relevant criterion, emphasizing their current fitness is adequate for them to continue playing.

MS Dhoni, who is still playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL at the age of 44, has proven that age is not a barrier for him. Recognized as the most successful Indian captain, Dhoni’s career pinnacle came in the 2011 ODI World Cup, where his tactical brilliance ended India’s 28-year wait for the World Cup title. The Ranchi-born wicket-keeper batter was also named Player of the Match in the final against Sri Lanka.

Moreover, Dhoni’s influence is evident in the Indian team’s consistent performance in the ODI World Cup since 2011, including semi-final appearances in 2015 and 2019 and a final appearance in 2023. He even set the stage for his successors, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, to take over.

However, the future of this iconic pair in the Indian ODI team is unclear, with their retirement from Tests and T20Is raising doubts about their sustained form and fitness ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Kohli and Sharma silenced critics for a while during the ODI series against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, but the pressure remains intact. MS Dhoni was asked by Jatin Sapru about whether India should move one from the duo or not.

At first, the former captain pretended not to have heard before going on to express confidence in the duo’s ability to perform well until the ODI World Cup, still a year away. Kohli will be 38 by the time, and Sharma, 39. 

Dhoni asserted that age should not be a factor in determining whether a player should be in the team, instead suggesting that performance and fitness should be. He argued that a player should not be pushed to quit after reaching their 30s.

On Kohli and Sharma, the 44-year-old has no problem with them playing at the WC, while highlighting the need for a combination of youth and experience in the team. He said, in an interaction with presenter Jatin Sapru:

For me, age is not a criterion. Performance and fitness are the criteria. I always feel nobody should be told anything… [On Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s inclusion] The right balance between experience and youth is very important.

MS Dhoni himself retired from international cricket at the age of 39. His final appearance for the Men in Blue was in the 2019 WC semi-final against New Zealand, which ended in heartbreak after he was run out by inches in the decisive moment. 

MS Dhoni predicts history for India in 2026 T20 World Cup under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership

The captain to win the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, MS Dhoni made his predictions about the Indian team ahead of the 2026 tournament. Dhoni confidently claimed that the Suryakumar Yadav-led T20I team would make history at the 2026 T20 WC.

MS Dhoni on India T20 World Cup
MS Dhoni tipped India to defend its T20 World Cup title. (via Inside Sport)

No team has ever lifted the T20 World Cup more than twice, and no team has successfully defended the T20 WC crown. All of it means that the Men in Blue will have to turn around the odds to win the 2026 edition of the tournament. Heading into the WC as favorites, the Indian T20I team is currently ranked no.1 in the world, and has also not lost a single bilateral series since 2023. 

Former captain MS Dhoni recently stated that the Indian team is among the favorites to win, and he even branded them as the most complete and dangerous team at the tournament. He pointed out the Indian team’s strengths, including batting, bowling, role clarity, and experience, making them the ideal side. However, Dhoni warned that dew could be a decisive factor in the outcome, urging caution. 

It’s [Indian T20I team] one of the most dangerous teams. You know, they would have already started batting or bowling. But what all is needed in a good team? Everything is there.

India has been placed in Group A, alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands, and is scheduled to start its tournament against the Dutch on February 7. However, the India-Pakistan contest is currently in doubt, as Pakistan has announced a boycott.

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