If Messi and Ronaldo can do it, why can't Kohli and Rohit?

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XtraTime Web Desk

Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma feature in the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup? The debate has gathered significant momentum in cricketing circles. While some believe the two modern-day greats will remain integral to India's plans, others are convinced they will not make the squad. But the real question is: why has this debate even started when both are still playing One-Day Internationals and continuing to perform at the highest level?

If Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo can continue to dominate elite football at around 40 years of age, why should a 39-year-old Rohit Sharma or a 37-year-old Virat Kohli be viewed differently? If age is not a barrier in football, why should it suddenly become one in cricket?

The recently concluded FIFA World Cup once again showcased Messi's extraordinary brilliance. At 39, he inspired Argentina to yet another World Cup final with match-winning performances, scoring hat-tricks, earning Player of the Match awards, and producing moments of magic that many players in their early twenties can only dream of. Meanwhile, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has openly expressed his desire to have Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo is already 41, meaning he would be 45 by then, yet both the coach and the Portuguese Football Federation continue to believe in his value.

Against that backdrop, why are so many people questioning whether India's two greatest ODI batters of this era can continue until 2027?

Kohli and Rohit have hardly shown any signs of slowing down. In the recently concluded three-match ODI series against England, Kohli produced impressive knocks of 74 off 60 balls and 65 off 66 deliveries. Earlier this year, he also struck a century against New Zealand. Rohit, too, silenced critics with a hundred in England.

More importantly, Kohli continues to perform the crucial role of anchoring an innings—absorbing pressure, controlling the chase, and guiding the batting unit with remarkable composure. It is a skill that remains difficult to replace, regardless of how talented the younger generation may be.

Major tournaments are not won by youth alone. Experience, temperament, and the ability to handle pressure often prove decisive on the biggest stage. That is precisely what Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to bring to Indian cricket.

Rather than creating unnecessary debates about their age, perhaps the focus should remain on what truly matters—their performances. As long as they continue to deliver at the highest level, their experience and class could be among India's greatest strengths heading into the 2027 World Cup.