Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has thrown his weight behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, insisting that experience will be vital for India’s campaign at the 2027 ODI World Cup. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket, concerns have emerged over their limited ODI game time and ageing fitness levels.

Dhawan emphasized that Virat Kohli remains a key figure due to his vast experience in high-pressure tournaments. As teams prepare for global competitions, seasoned players like Virat Kohli offer composure and tactical awareness. Despite being in his late 30s by 2027, Virat Kohli continues to showcase strong performances in ODIs.

While critics question whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can maintain peak performance into their late careers, Dhawan believes their experience outweighs any physical concerns. The lack of consistent ODI fixtures has raised doubts, but Virat Kohli has maintained form whenever given opportunities.

Dhawan also highlighted emerging talent like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose fearless batting in IPL 2026 has caught attention. However, he stressed that young players must complement experienced names like Virat Kohli rather than replace them prematurely.

With the tournament set to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, India’s balance between youth and experience will be crucial. Dhawan concluded that players like Virat Kohli remain indispensable, especially in pressure situations where experience often defines outcomes.