• Source:JND

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, saying their experience and presence would make India a stronger team despite both players being in the later stages of their careers.

The World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October-November 2027. By then, Kohli will be close to 39 years old, while Rohit will be over 40. However, Ashwin believes age should not stop them from featuring in the tournament if they remain fit and continue to get support from the team management.

"In my experience of how these things pan out, it's pretty straightforward: if the management wants both of them at the 50-over World Cup in South Africa, and if there is enough energy around it, it's very much possible to keep them on the park and utilise their experience," Ashwin said on ESPNcricinfo's video show.

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Ashwin said fitness management and support from the selectors and team management will be key if the two senior batters are to continue their ODI careers until 2027.

"And forgive me, I'm no specialist, I'm no medico scientist, I can't say this with utmost authority, [but if] there is a proper rehab programme, and there is something that's constructed around what they want to do, and if there is good vibes from the other half, the players will manage to make it," he said.

"But if there is any sediment of doubt that's trusted upon them, the players are going to find it harder because at this age, injuries are par for the course. The body is not the same as it was when it was 35 and below; it's not the same when you cross 32 itself."

Ashwin's advice to Indian management

The former spinner compared the relationship between players and management to a partnership, saying both sides need to work together if the aim is to have Kohli and Rohit available for the next ODI World Cup.

"So I think it's a bit of a give and take. I think good energy from both sides is very critical for both of them to make it happen to get to the 2027 50-over World Cup," Ashwin said, as per ESPNcricinfo.

"And having said that, I see no reason why they mustn't be there. They make your team definitely stronger with their presence and their experience of those conditions," he added.

Having retired from T20 Internationals in 2024 and Test cricket in 2025, Kohli and Rohit are now focused only on ODI cricket. Kohli has enjoyed a strong run since 2025, scoring 891 runs at an average of 68.53, including four centuries and five fifties. Rohit has also delivered consistent performances, scoring 711 runs at 44.43 with two hundreds and four half-centuries.

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India are set to play 20 ODIs before the start of 2027, beginning with a three-match series against Afghanistan later this week.

While Kohli has been ruled out of the series because of a hamstring injury, Rohit has returned to the national squad after recovering from a similar issue that forced him to miss five matches during IPL 2026.

Ashwin's advice to Rohit and Virat

Ashwin feels Kohli's fitness continues to be one of his biggest strengths, while Rohit will need to manage his workload carefully over the next year and a half.

"He doesn't have a 50-over World Cup in his kitbag yet," Ashwin said of Rohit. "I think he wants to go there to the 2027 World Cup and showcase that, and win yet another silverware for himself and for the nation. I think he has also done enough to warrant a place, going all the way till that end," he added.

Ashwin concluded by highlighting the importance of experience, especially in overseas conditions like those in South Africa. He urged India to make the most of senior players such as Kohli and Rohit while they are still available.

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"Till you have experienced cricketers like Virat and Rohit in your side, [and] in your ranks, going for an away World Cup in a country like South Africa, I think you should extract as much experience as you can from those," Ashwin concluded.


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