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'They are legends': Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli backed to deliver 2027 World Cup glory for India by former teammate originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Shikhar Dhawan backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lead India's 2027 World Cup charge.
- He praises Rohit's Lord's century and Kohli's fitness and consistency.
- Rohit shut out retirement rumours after scoring the ton against England.
Shikhar Dhawan backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to help India win 2027 World Cup
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has voiced his confidence in longtime teammates Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and backed the duo to play a decisive role in India's pursuit of the 2027 ODI World Cup title.
Despite ongoing chatter around whether the two veterans can realistically feature in the tournament given their age, Dhawan believes that both remain irreplaceable assets for the national team, who are capable of steering India towards reclaiming the trophy.
Kohli belted out two half-centuries against England, while Rohit answered doubters emphatically with a commanding hundred at Lord's.
Speaking to ANI, Dhawan lavished praise on his former teammates and reflected on a friendship that dates back to when the trio were around 16 years old.
“They are legends. They have performed for the country for so many years. Whether it’s Virat or Rohit, all of us have had a relationship since we were around 16 years old. They are two to three years younger than me, and it is a matter of great joy that they are preparing now,” Dhawan said.
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Rohit Sharma's Lord's century draws special praise from Dhawan
Dhawan described Rohit's 138-run innings at Lord's as a wonderful showcase of Rohit's enduring class. The former opener insisted that the veteran has consistently found ways to respond to criticism through runs with his bat.
“Rohit recently scored a hundred at Lord’s. It was a wonderful century and showed how his bat speaks. He has been doing that for so many years, and when a difficult phase came, he responded in the best possible way with his performances,” he added.
Dhawan reserved equally high praise for Kohli, and highlighted his exceptional commitment to fitness and his ability to maintain top-level performance year after year.
“As for Virat, no amount of praise is enough. The way he keeps himself so fit and continues to perform at the highest level is remarkable,” Dhawan said.
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Rohit & Virat's experience will be invaluable during 2027 ODI World Cup
Dhawan's endorsement reflects a broader truth often overlooked amid conversations about youth-driven squad building: experience carries weight in the extended format of a 50-over World Cup.
Rohit and Kohli's recent performances against England suggest neither has lost the ability to perform under pressure, and dismissing them purely based on age risks undervaluing what they still bring tactically and technically.
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That said, India's team management will need to balance this experience with fitness demands and succession planning, since a World Cup campaign requires sustained peak performance across an extended tournament window. Dhawan's confidence isn't misplaced, but it also reflects the natural bias of someone who shared the dressing room with both players for years.
The real test will be whether India's selectors can build a squad that maximises their experience without overburdening two players already managing the physical demands of extended careers.
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