'Don't bring the age factor...': Ex-India captain sends stern message to selectors, wants Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to feature in 2027 World Cup

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth believes that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should play the 2027 ODI World Cup and has urged the selectors to not consider their age while selecting them for the tournament. Srikkanth was quite impressed with the duo's performance in the recently concluded series against Australia and was especially impressed with Rohit's batting.

Notably, the 38-year-old finished as the series' top scorer with a total of 202 runs in just three matches. He scored a century and half-century each and his knock of 121* was pivotal in taking the Men in Blue to a dominant 9-wicket victory in the third ODI that saw them avoid a humiliating series whitewash.

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"Ro-Ko set for 2027. Rohit, in my opinion, has to surely play the 2027 World Cup. Don't bring the age factor. Don't say 'he is touching 40, brushing 40, reaching 40'. Stop all these. He is fit, he is playing well, taking slip catches cleanly. What else do you want? He is scoring in every match. He played effortlessly in Sydney. It felt similar to the way he played in the 2019 World Cup. Yes, he didn't go to the sixth, gear and seventh gear. He was going in third and fourth gear. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, can play until 45, given his fitness. He is as fit as a 25-year-old," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

Srikkanth further remarked that rather instilling fear in Rohit and Virat, the selectors should provide them with a sense of security and should let them know how important they are for the team.

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"Don't spook them. Don't instil fear. Leave them alone. I think you have to tell them that they are important for the team. Tell them to look after themselves. 'We will form the team around you. You two are very important. Please make sure you are fit enough'. I think this should be the thought process and communication. If they do it this way, it will be good for Team India and the two players," Srikkanth stated.

"If I was the chairman of the selection committee, today itself I will go to them and say, 'Just be fit for the 2027 World Cup and win us the trophy'," he added.

India's next ODI series to be against South Africa

Meanwhile, Rohit and Virat will now be eyeing to continue their form in India's three-match home ODI series against South Africa that will commence from November 30. This will be the Men in Blue's final one-day assignment of the year so it will definitely be important for the duo to perform.