Fitness, not age, will decide Kohli and Rohit's World Cup spots, says BCCI chief

BCCI president Mithun Manhas stated that fitness and performance, not age, will decide whether veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma make the squad for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. He added that the board does not comment on selection, leaving the decision to coaches and selectors. Manhas noted Kohli is enjoying a late‑career purple patch in ODIs, while recent displays have eased doubts about Rohit’s place. Both players have captained India at previous World Cups: Kohli reached the 2019 semi‑finals before losing to New Zealand, and Rohit guided the side to the 2023 final, where Australia won convincingly. Kohli was part of the 2011 World Cup‑winning team; Rohit has yet to lift the trophy. They were key figures in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph and subsequently retired from that format. Manhas said their experience, along with other senior members, will be valuable for current captain Shubman Gill, who also leads the Gujarat Titans. He suggested Virat, Hardik Pandya and Rohit could mentor Gill, while Jasprit Bumrah might act as bowling captain and another senior could head the fielding unit. The senior presence is intended to spread workload and provide guidance as India prepares for the 2027 tournament.

Context

Fitness‑based selection is common in modern cricket, aiming to keep squads competitive. Senior players often stay on to mentor younger captains, balancing on‑field roles with leadership duties.