The growing concerns over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s chances of playing in the ICC World Cup 2027, which begins in October next year, have subsided. Kohli will turn 39 during the World Cup next year, while Rohit will be over 40. Both veterans have been among the runs in the recently concluded ODI series against the West Indies, scoring a century each. For now, the murmurs surrounding their futures have died down. Age, however, should not be a deterrent to their chances, feels BCCI president Mithun Manhas .
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif shared his opinions regarding the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is set to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Because it all depends on the selectors and the coaches, “As far as the BCCI is concerned, we are not in a position to comment.
But from how I look at it, fitness and performance should be the criteria for selection, and definitely not age,” he told Sportstar. So, it is all about the distribution of workload,” Manhas said. I feel batters will dominate, so the team with better bowlers will do well,” said Kaif, as quoted by Hindustan Sports.
Under ODI captain Shubman Gill , having the likes of Kohli, Rohit and Hardik Pandya in the team will help, feels Manhas. “Having Virat, Hardik and Rohit in the side will definitely help him. Then there are the likes of Bumrah, who could lead, who can be the bowling captains, and then somebody who will be the fielding captain. He pointed out that the playing conditions in South Africa have become batting-friendly. Kaif added that the difference in the quality of the bowling attacks will determine the winner. In addition to some other matches, the two semi-finals and the final of the mega event will be hosted by South Africa. Cape Town, Centurion, and Johannesburg are the venues for the three important clashes. “The conditions have become much better in South Africa, there are a lot of batting-friendly pitches. So, I don’t think bowlers will dominate.
