Harbhajan Singh Backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for 2027 World Cup Selection
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has voiced strong support for the inclusion of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad for the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, stating that physical fitness and consistent performance must outweigh age when making selection decisions.
What Happened
During a podcast interview, 46-year-old Harbhajan Singh reiterated that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should be primary choices for the upcoming 50-over flagship tournament. When the 2027 World Cup takes place across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, Rohit will be 40 years old, while Kohli will be 39. Despite the age factor, Harbhajan emphasised that high-level fitness and skill remain the ultimate benchmark for international selection.
Drawing parallels with football icon Lionel Messi, Harbhajan noted that exceptional athletes continue to outshine younger competitors regardless of age. He highlighted that if a player maintains the stamina to outperform 20-year-olds on the field, chronological age becomes irrelevant.
Key Highlights
- Performance over age: Harbhajan stated that team selection should be strictly guided by fitness and skill rather than date of birth.
- Tournament timeline: At the 2027 tournament in Southern Africa, Rohit Sharma will be 40 and Virat Kohli will be 39.
- Messi comparison: The former off-spinner referenced Lionel Messi continuing to dominate opponents at an advanced athletic age due to superior skill and fitness.
- Fitness culture impact: Harbhajan credited Kohli’s assumption of the captaincy in 2014-15 with revolutionising India’s physical conditioning standards and fostering an aggressive mindset, such as pursuing 400-run targets on the final day of Test matches.
- Career self-awareness: Reflecting on his own career—which yielded 416 Test wickets and 269 ODI wickets before his official retirement in December 2021—Harbhajan noted that players naturally realise when their bodies signal that it is time to step aside.
Why This Matters
The remarks address ongoing discussions regarding the longevity of veteran players in India’s limited-overs setup. Harbhajan’s comments underline how Kohli’s leadership from 2014-15 transformed physical conditioning expectations across the Indian team, establishing baseline fitness standards that enable extended careers at the highest level of international cricket.
What to Watch Next
Selection patterns and physical conditioning benchmarks will be closely monitored as the Indian team prepares for future international tournaments leading toward the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli be during the 2027 World Cup?
Rohit Sharma will be 40 years old and Virat Kohli will be 39 years old during the 2027 World Cup.
Where will the 2027 World Cup be held?
The 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
What did Harbhajan Singh say regarding Indian team fitness?
Harbhajan credited Virat Kohli with reshaping the team’s fitness culture and self-belief since taking over the captaincy in 2014-15, setting higher athletic standards and encouraging ambitious targets.
Source: CricTracker and Livemint report on Harbhajan Singh’s podcast interview.