MS Dhoni Champions Experience Over Age for India's 2027 World Cup Campaign
As the Indian cricket team begins formulating its strategic blueprint for the highly anticipated 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, legendary former captain MS Dhoni has delivered a powerful endorsement for the continued inclusion of senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODI setup. In a clear and compelling statement, Dhoni argued that selection decisions must be driven by current performance metrics and physical fitness levels, not by the chronological age of the players.
Dhoni's Firm Stance on Selection Philosophy
Speaking at a recent public engagement, the World Cup-winning skipper addressed the growing scrutiny surrounding the future of India's senior cricketing icons, particularly after both Rohit and Kohli stepped away from Test cricket last year. Dhoni dismissed the notion that players in their 30s should be automatically phased out.
"Why not? The thing is, why somebody should not play the next World Cup? For me, age is not a criteria. Performance, fitness, these are the criteria," Dhoni asserted. He elaborated that a player's value cannot be reduced to a mere number associated with their birth year. "Is age a factor? No. Fitness factor? Yes. Even if you are 22 and not fit, you cannot play international cricket."
The Ultimate Decision Lies with the Players
Dhoni emphasized that the desire and capacity to extend an international career are fundamentally personal choices. "If they keep performing and have the urge to do well for the country, then why not? How do you get experienced people otherwise?" he questioned, highlighting the irreplaceable nature of seasoned campaigners in a squad often filled with younger talent.
He pointed out the rarity of finding youthful players with vast experience, citing the exceptional case of Sachin Tendulkar. "You cannot get a 20-year-old who is experienced unless it is someone like Sachin Tendulkar," Dhoni noted, underscoring that true experience is cultivated through years of competing in high-stakes international matches.
His message was unequivocal: "If people are performing, they will be there, otherwise not. If they are not fit, you can chuck them out."
Current Form Bolsters the Case for Senior Stars
Dhoni's remarks gain significant weight when viewed alongside the recent ODI performances of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Since the tour of Australia, the batting maestros have been in formidable touch:
- Virat Kohli has amassed an impressive 616 runs in just nine matches, boasting a stellar average of 88.
- Rohit Sharma has contributed a solid 409 runs at an average of 51, demonstrating his consistent value at the top of the order.
With India's next ODI assignment scheduled in England from July, the debate over the role of the senior core in the team's journey towards the 2027 global tournament is set to intensify. Dhoni's intervention provides a strong, experience-backed perspective that prioritizes tangible on-field contributions over arbitrary age-based timelines, ensuring the discussion remains focused on meritocracy as India shapes its future.
