In a decisive clarification, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Mithun Manhas firmly rejected the notion that age should act as an obstacle for seasoned stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of ODI World Cup 2027. Speaking on the selection parameters governing Team India's upcoming campaigns, Manhas emphasised that tangible output on the field and fitness must take precedence over age factor.
What did BCCI President Mithun Manhas say about selection criteria?
Manhas clearly stated that if someone is fit to play, performing well, and winning games for the country, that should be the only criterion focused on.
“From my perspective, fitness and performance should be the criteria for selection, definitely not age. If someone is fit to play, performing well and winning games for the country, that should be the only criterion we focus on,” Manhas told Sportstar.
By putting 'fitness and performance' at the core of the evaluation framework, Manhas addressed the ongoing debate regarding squad transition. He noted that maintaining workload management, fostering healthy bench strength, and leveraging seasoned leaders alongside captain Shubman Gill creates a balanced ecosystem capable of withstanding crunch situations in global tournaments.
“Shubman has been the captain of Gujarat Titans for two or three years now, apart from leading India. I think that experience will come in handy when he begins his World Cup campaign. Having Virat, Hardik (Pandya) and Rohit in the side will definitely help him. Then there are the likes of (Jasprit) Bumrah, who could take charge as the bowling captain, while someone else could lead the fielding unit. So, it is all about distributing the workload. It will be interesting to see how things unfold. But Shubman is a level-headed guy, and I think having the seniors around him will be an advantage,” Manhas added.
How ready are Rohit, Virat for ODI World Cup 2027?
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have demonstrated exceptional form in recent ODI outings, proving that their technical mastery and match-winning capabilities remain fully intact. Rather than slowing down, their output in international bilateral series and major continental events has reinforced their status as the core pillars of India’s 50-over lineup.
In recent ODI series, Rohit Sharma has continued to revolutionise his role at the top of the order, providing blistering starts that dismantle opponent bowling plans within the powerplay. His ability to blend boundary-hitting aggression with deep innings building has yielded crucial match-winning knocks. Concurrently, Virat Kohli has maintained his classic dominance in run chases and middle-order consolidation, repeatedly steering the team through volatile situations with remarkable tactical awareness.
How have both legends stood the test of time
In recent years, media narrative and social media discourse have frequently speculated on the imminent white-ball retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Every quiet outing or workload-management rest period was routinely amplified into debates over whether Team India should execute a complete youth overhaul across all formats.
Despite persistent retirement rumours and selection debates, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have continuously stood the test of time to remain in firm contention for the ODI World Cup 2027. Instead of being sidelined by outside noise, both stalwarts responded on the field, producing consistent match-winning performances that rendered retirement speculation irrelevant.
Talking about Rohit's performances in the last five ODIS, he has amassed 389 runs riding on one ton and three fifties at an average of 77.80 and strike rate of 110.51. Meanwhile, Kohli has mustered 307 runs riding on two fifties and a century in his last five ODIs.
Do 2023–2026 numbers prove RO-KO are only getting better with age?
Far from showing signs of decline, the statistical record for both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli between 2023 and 2026 proves that their game has elevated to higher levels of efficiency, authority, and consistency. As time progresses, both players have refined their respective roles to match the aggressive, high-scoring demands of modern One Day Internationals.
Rohit Sharma's impressive numbers
Throughout his career, Rohit Sharma established himself as one of the finest white-ball openers in history. Over his total 291-match career, Rohit averages 49.26 at a strike rate of 93.38. However, across his 56 matches between 2023 and 2026, his average surged to 51.60, while his strike rate skyrocketed to an extraordinary 110.76.
This statistical leap highlights an intentional shift in mindset. Rohit transformed his approach to give India rapid, high-impact starts in the first ten overs without sacrificing his overall average, turning potential par totals into match-winning positions.
| Career Phase / Parameter | Matches | Batting Average | Strike Rate |
| Overall Career (291 Matches) | 291 | 49.26 | 93.38 |
| 2023–2026 Span (56 Matches) | 56 | 51.60 | 110.76 |
Virat Kohli's robust stats
Virat Kohli’s overall career statistics, 15,109 runs at an average of 58.78 and 55 centuries, already place him in the pantheon of all-time greats. Yet, his performance from 2023 to 2026 demonstrates an astonishing spike: in 52 matches, he has amassed 2,638 runs at an astounding average of 65.95 and a strike rate of 101.34, piling up 11 centuries and 15 fifties.
Kohli's ability to maintain an average near 66 while elevating his strike rate past 100 over a three-year period illustrates a complete dominance over white-ball attacks worldwide. His output during this window stands among the most productive stretches of his entire career.
| Parameter | Overall Career Stats | 2023–2026 Statistics |
| Total Matches | Career Total | 52 Matches |
| Total Runs | 15,109 Runs | 2,638 Runs |
| Batting Average | 58.78 | 65.95 |
| Strike Rate | -- | 101.34 |
| Centuries / Fifties | 55 ODI Centuries | 11 Centuries / 15 Fifties |
With Rohit Sharma continuing to destroy opening attacks at a 110+ strike rate and Virat Kohli averaging nearly 66 with unprecedented consistency in the middle order, the veteran duo remains the backbone of India's World Cup ambitions.
How did RO-KO perform in the ODI World Cup 2023?
During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit and Virat delivered back-to-back stunning performances, leading India to ten consecutive victories before falling short in the final against Australia.
Virat Kohli: Named Player of the Tournament, Kohli smashed the record for the most runs in a single World Cup edition. In 11 matches, he amassed 765 runs at a staggering average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31. He slammed 3 tons and 6 half-centuries.
Rohit Sharma: Leading the India's pack, Rohit re-engineered team's batting strategy by executing explosive, counter-attacking starts. In 11 matches, he scored 597 runs, the second-highest in the tournament, at a robust average of 54.27 and a blistering strike rate of 125.94. Rohit hit one century and 3 fifties, leading the tournament’s six-hitting charts with 31 sixes.
The deadly duo will look to replicate their 2023 heroics in the 2027 World Cup.