Zaheer Abbas has thrown his weight behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the 2027 ODI World Cup. In an interview with PTI on July 26, the Pakistan batting great said age should not decide selection. “Kohli and Rohit are still among the best batsmen in the world. Age is just a number. If they maintain their fitness and hunger, they should definitely be in India’s squad for 2027. I have seen many players play well into their late 30s,” Abbas said. The tournament runs in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October to November 2027. Abbas’s backing carries weight, and the numbers support his view.
Form Over Age: Why Kohli and Rohit Are Still Irreplaceable
Kohli’s 2025-26 Dominance - 1,287 Runs at 71.50 and Asia Cup Fireworks Virat Kohli is 37. He scored 1,287 ODI runs in 2025 at an average of 71.50 with five centuries. That pace has not slowed. In the 2026 Asia Cup, he has 342 runs in four innings with back-to-back hundreds against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. His strike rate in 2026 ODIs has climbed to 105.2. He is not just accumulating runs; he is attacking. Whether chasing 340 or setting a platform, Kohli anchors India’s middle order. Read our full breakdown of Kohli’s Asia Cup blitz. This is not nostalgia - it is current form.
Rohit’s Captaincy and Consistent Returns - 894 Runs in 2026, Champions Trophy Triumph Rohit Sharma, 39, has 894 ODI runs in 2026, averaging 49.66 with three centuries. He led India to the 2025 Champions Trophy title. In the Asia Cup, he scored a century against Bangladesh and has 278 runs in four innings. He remains the first-choice opener because he dismantles attacks. His ICC event leadership record is unmatched: a World Cup, a Champions Trophy, an Asia Cup. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has confirmed no age-based retirement policy. For a deep dive on Rohit’s 2026 form, check our stat sheet. Age is a number - Rohit’s bat is still 22.
The Selectors’ Stance and What’s Next for the 2027 Squad
No Age-Based Retirement - Agarkar Confirms Fitness and Performance Rule Ajit Agarkar ended speculation on July 29. In a press conference, the chief selector said the 2027 World Cup squad depends on current fitness and performance, not age. Both Kohli and Rohit are in the preliminary 30-man squad, subject to fitness tests in early 2027. “If they pass the Yo-Yo test and keep scoring runs, they will be there,” a BCCI source said. That matches Abbas’s view: performance matters, not age. India qualifies automatically for the 2027 World Cup via rankings, so there is no rush to blood youngsters. Form holds the edge.
Upcoming England Series - A Crucial Litmus Test in August 2026 The three-match ODI series against England starts August 14, 2026. Both Kohli and Rohit feature in the squad. Their performances will shape the final World Cup plans. England, after their own rebuild, will test India’s veterans at home. A strong showing, particularly from Rohit’s captaincy and Kohli’s middle-overs consolidation, could silence doubters. Series preview and squad details here. With the 2027 World Cup 15 months away, every innings matters. Zaheer Abbas said greatness does not retire by a calendar. It retires when the runs stop. For now, Kohli and Rohit are still scoring.
