Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has defended the continued involvement of veteran cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in one-day international cricket, arguing that their demonstrated ability should outweigh chronological age as a selection criterion. The 46-year-old ex-off-spinner contends that both players should be permitted to pursue participation in next year’s World Cup tournament, provided they maintain adequate fitness levels and consistent on-field performance.
Harbhajan drew parallels to football star Lionel Messi’s recent World Cup success at an advanced age to illustrate his point. With Rohit approaching 40 and Kohli at 39 during the 2027 World Cup, the former cricketer maintained that skill and physical condition should determine squad selection rather than age. He emphasized that elite athletes capable of outperforming younger competitors should retain opportunities to contribute at the highest level of competition.
The former spinner highlighted significant distinctions between established players and emerging talent like young bowler Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Kohli and Rohit’s extensive international experience, accumulated through hundreds of previous matches, provides tactical advantages and pressure-handling capabilities that inexperienced players cannot yet replicate. Additionally, Harbhajan credited Kohli with revolutionizing Indian cricket’s winning mentality and establishing the fitness standards that transformed the national team’s physical capabilities.
Ultimately, Harbhajan advocated that head coach Gautam Gambhir should retain faith in both veterans if they satisfy performance and fitness requirements comparable to other squad members, suggesting the players themselves will recognize when their bodies signal retirement necessity.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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