Kohli and Rohit should play the 2027 World Cup, says Zaheer Abbas

Former Pakistan captain and legendary batter Zaheer Abbas believes Indian batting stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma still have plenty to contribute to international cricket and should represent India at the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Speaking in an interview with a Pakistani television channel, the man popularly known as the “Asian Bradman” said a player’s fitness and performance—not age—should be the primary criteria for selection.

“Both are exceptionally skilled cricketers, and their experience is invaluable to the team. If they remain fit and continue scoring runs, I see no reason why they should not play in the World Cup. Age should not be a factor,” Zaheer said.

He added that scoring runs becomes almost second nature for experienced batters like Kohli and Rohit, whose years of competing at the highest level have become their greatest strength.

Praising Kohli’s fitness, Zaheer said the former India captain remains in excellent physical condition. He also noted that Rohit could benefit from paying a little more attention to his fitness.

The former Pakistan batter believes India would gain immensely from the duo’s experience at the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. According to Zaheer, the presence of Kohli and Rohit could prove to be a major asset for India in the tournament.

Speaking about Rohit’s batting, Zaheer said, “I watched him score a century against England, and it is still a pleasure to watch him bat. He plays so effortlessly and with such sweet timing.”

Zaheer also shared his views on the evolution of T20 cricket, saying the format has introduced a variety of innovative strokes. However, he insisted that mastering fundamental shots such as the cover drive and cut shot remains essential for any batter aiming to succeed across all formats.

Turning his attention to Pakistan cricket, Zaheer expressed optimism about the team’s future and urged fans to remain patient. He believes Babar Azam’s return as Test captain could help bring positive change to the side.

“Babar is a world-class player. Once he starts scoring runs consistently again, the entire team will regain confidence. Good times will return for Pakistan cricket,” Zaheer said.