Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to represent India at the 2027 ODI World Cup, insisting that performance and fitness should matter more than age when deciding the future of senior players. Kohli is now 37, while Rohit is also in the latter stages of his international career. However, Harbhajan believes their age should not become a barrier if they continue to perform at the highest level and remain physically capable of competing with younger players.

“If Lionel Messi can continue playing, why can’t Kohli and Rohit?” Harbhajan Singh said, drawing a comparison with the legendary Argentina footballer. Speaking to PTI in a podcast interview, he argued that the selection benchmark for experienced players should remain their performances rather than their birth dates.

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“Whoever the player is, I believe the marker should be performance, not age,” Harbhajan Singh said. The former India cricketer believes Kohli and Rohit could continue their careers if they retain the motivation and confidence to compete at the highest level. He pointed to Messi as an example of how elite athletes can remain influential well into their late 30s. “Virat may be 39, but if he is still beating those 20-year-old guys on the field, it does not matter,” Harbhajan added.

Singh also credited Kohli with transforming India’s mindset during his captaincy. According to him, Kohli helped create a stronger belief within the dressing room that India could chase and win matches that once appeared almost impossible.

The former spinner highlighted Kohli’s impact on India’s fitness standards as another major contribution. He believes the former captain pushed teammates to raise their physical limits and develop a more professional approach towards fitness.

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“This change was first brought in by Virat Kohli when he became the captain in 2014-15. Before that, we wouldn’t think that we could go for a chase of 400 on the final day,” Harbhajan Singh said.

With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, the debate over Kohli and Rohit’s longevity is likely to continue. Harbhajan’s message, however, is clear: if the two veterans remain fit, motivated, and productive, age alone should not prevent them from wearing India colours.