Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has made it clear that age shouldn’t be the reason someone gets dropped. He specifically pointed to the talk about whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should play in the next ODI World Cup. While speaking to Jatin Sapru, the legend insisted that how fit a player is and what they actually do on the field are the only things that matter for the national team.
MS Dhoni Backs Senior Duo: Performance Over Age for World Cup 2027
Dhoni argued that a player’s birth certificate doesn’t mean much if they can still handle the physical grind of the game. To him, the real test is whether they can still win matches for India. He looked back at his own career, noting that selectors picked him based purely on his talent when he started at 24. He believes the current management should use that same logic for the veterans today.
The former skipper also stressed that the choice to keep playing belongs to the players themselves, as long as they stay fit. He doesn’t think people on the outside should tell players in their thirties when to retire. If a cricketer still has the fire to play for India and passes every fitness test, Dhoni sees no reason to push them out.
These comments feel like a sharp response to critics who keep calling for a younger team just for the sake of transition. The iconic keeper believes that if Rohit and Virat still have the hunger and the legs to compete, they should get to decide their own future without being pressured.
“Why not? Listen, the thing is—why should somebody not play the next World Cup? For me, age is not a criteria. Performance and fitness, these are the criteria. I always feel nobody should be told anything, but things should be clear: everyone will be treated the same way. When I made my debut, I was 24. Nobody came and told me anything then. So now, if I’m playing for India for one year, two years, ten years, or twenty years—whatever it is—nobody needs to come and tell me about my age,” Dhoni said in an interaction with Jatin Sapru.
“Is age a factor? No. Is fitness a factor? Yes, fitness is a factor. Even if you’re 22, if you’re not fit, you shouldn’t be there; there are criteria for playing international cricket. When it comes to whether it’s Rohit, Virat, or other names that will come forward in three, five, or ten years’ time, the whole thing is this: just because somebody is in their 30s, it’s not for us to decide whether they can play the next World Cup. It’s for them to decide. If they keep performing and have the urge to do well for the country, then why not?” Dhoni added.
The Road Ahead:
This perspective from such a massive figure in the game changes the whole conversation as India looks toward the 2027 World Cup. Indian cricket is in a tricky spot right now. The management has to compare the value of experienced stars against the need to bring in the next generation.
Dhoni’s view suggests that the BCCI shouldn’t stick to stiff rules that ignore players just because of their age. The focus should remain on tough fitness drills and consistent scoring at home or abroad. If Kohli and Rohit are still outplaying the younger prospects, it makes no sense to drop them if the goal is to field the strongest XI.
However, this strategy means the selection committee must be completely honest about how they handle this shift. They have to make sure the senior players aren’t accidentally blocking the path for rising stars like Shubman Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal.
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The leadership group has the tough job of managing workloads to keep the veterans fresh while slowly giving new faces more responsibility in big games. Ultimately, Dhoni’s way of thinking is all about merit. Runs and speed should decide who makes the cut. This forces younger players to actually win their spots instead of just being handed them. This approach makes sure India put out a team based on what players can do right now, not just what they might do in the future.
