Speaking at a recent event, Dhoni dismissed the growing narrative around age, particularly as scrutiny has intensified since Rohit and Kohli stepped away from Test cricket last year. The World Cup–winning captain made it clear that experience should not be undervalued simply because a player is in their 30s.
“Why not? The thing is, why somebody should not play the next World Cup? For me, age is not a criteria. Performance and fitness—these are the criteria,” Dhoni said. He added that judging players purely by their age makes little sense in modern cricket. “Is age a factor? No. Fitness factor? Yes. Even if you are 22 and not fit, you cannot play international cricket.”
Dhoni also underlined that decisions on longevity ultimately lie with the players themselves. If they continue to perform consistently and retain the hunger to represent the country, there is no reason to move them aside prematurely. “If they keep performing and have the urge to do well for the country, then why not? How do you get experienced people otherwise?” he remarked.
Highlighting the importance of senior players in a young dressing room, Dhoni pointed out that experience cannot be fast-tracked. “You cannot get a 20-year-old who is experienced unless it is someone like Sachin Tendulkar,” he said, emphasizing that years of high-pressure international cricket shape match awareness and leadership. “If people are performing, they will be there; otherwise not. If they are not fit, you can chuck them out.”
Dhoni’s comments come at a time when both Rohit and Kohli continue to strengthen their ODI credentials. Since the Australia tour, Kohli has scored 616 runs in nine matches at an average of 88, while Rohit has accumulated 409 runs at an average of 51. With India’s next ODI assignment scheduled in England from July, the debate around the team’s senior core heading into the 2027 World Cup remains very much alive.
As Dhoni’s stance makes clear, when it comes to ODI cricket, form, fitness, and experience still trump the number on a birth certificate.
