Former CSK Star Backs Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma For 2027 World Cup

Former Chennai Super Kings batter R Ashwin has backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to remain in India’s selection conversation for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, stating that both still possess the quality required to perform at the highest level in ODI cricket. He said it during his Ash Ki Baat podcast.

"I personally think that if you want to go to South Africa and play the World Cup, then the experience of the batters is needed. Both players should be kept comfortable. Both players should be prepared. Because at this age, physical fitness is important. They should be managed properly. If both players have that assurance, they will give their best," Ashwin said in conversation with journalist Vimal Sharma.

His assessment is backed not only by reputation but also by numbers. Both batters remain among the most dominant ODI players of the modern era.

Virat Kohli’s case is built largely on unmatched consistency. Kohli has scored 14,181 ODI runs in 302 matches at an average of 57.88, including 51 centuries and 74 fifties. His strike rate of 93+ reflects both control and tempo in 50-over cricket. His performances in ICC tournaments further strengthen the argument. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Kohli scored 765 runs in 11 matches, the highest ever in a single World Cup edition, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of 673. That campaign demonstrated that Kohli remains one of India’s most reliable middle-order anchors under pressure.

Rohit Sharma offers India a different advantage: explosive starts and game-changing innings Rohit has scored 11,168 ODI runs in 273 matches at an average of 48.76, with 32 centuries and 58 fifties. His attacking intent has made him one of the most destructive opening batters in ODI history. He remains the only batter to score three double centuries in ODIs, with a highest score of 264, still the highest individual ODI score. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit scored 597 runs at a strike rate above 125, giving India aggressive starts that often shifted momentum in the powerplay.

By the 2027 World Cup, Rohit will be 40, while Kohli will be 38. That naturally raises questions over longevity. However, ODI cricket rewards experience, temperament, and decision-making as much as athleticism. Examples across global sport show elite athletes extending careers through conditioning and workload management. In cricket, too, players with strong game awareness often remain effective beyond their mid-30s.

India’s emerging batting core is growing rapidly, but replacing tournament experience remains difficult. Combined, Kohli and Rohit have played more than 575 ODIs and scored over 25,000 ODI runs. They also own 83 ODI centuries between them, a number few batting pairs in world cricket can match. More importantly, both have repeatedly delivered in ICC events, where pressure management often determines outcomes. Selection Will Depend On Merit. Rayudu’s support does not imply automatic selection, but it reinforces a practical argument: performance should outweigh age-based assumptions. If Kohli and Rohit continue producing strong ODI numbers over the next two years, selectors may find it difficult to ignore two of India’s most accomplished white-ball batters. For now, the statistics suggest both remain viable contenders for India’s 2027 World Cup plans.