Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan believes that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should be part of India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Dhawan said that both senior players bring valuable experience, leadership, and match-winning ability, which are extremely important in a major tournament like the World Cup.
Although Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not played many One Day International matches recently, both have continued to show strong form whenever they have played. Dhawan acknowledged that some people may have concerns about their age and limited ODI appearances, but he remains confident in their ability to perform at the highest level.
By the time the 2027 ODI World Cup takes place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, Rohit Sharma will be in his 40s and Virat Kohli will be in his late 30s. Despite this, Dhawan believes their fitness, experience, and cricketing intelligence can still make them key players for India.
Dhawan stressed that big tournaments often require experienced players who can handle pressure, and he feels Rohit and Virat still have the quality to contribute significantly.
In addition to supporting the senior stars, Dhawan also praised young Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his fearless batting in IPL 2026.
Sooryavanshi has been one of the standout performers this season, scoring 400 runs in 9 matches at an impressive average of 44.44. His performances include one century and two half-centuries, placing him among the top run-scorers in the tournament.
Dhawan said that if the young batter continues this strong form, he could soon earn a place in the Indian national team.
Overall, Dhawan’s comments highlight the importance of balancing experienced senior players with talented young stars as India builds toward the 2027 World Cup.