Veteran Experience Over Age

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas, widely known as the 'Asian Bradman', has voiced his strong support for the inclusion of Indian batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Addressing concerns regarding the age of the two veterans, Abbas emphasized that their unmatched skill and experience make them automatic contenders for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

"Both are very, very good in terms of skill and, given their experience, I don't see any reason why they should not play the World Cup. Age should not be a factor as long as they are fit and continue scoring runs," Abbas stated during an interview on a Pakistani television channel.

Assessment of Fitness and Form

Zaheer, who scored over 100 first-class centuries in his storied career, believes that for players of this caliber, scoring runs becomes second nature. He specifically praised Kohli's physical condition, noting that the former captain remains "supremely fit," while suggesting that Rohit Sharma "just needs to pay a little more attention to his fitness."

The Pakistan legend was particularly impressed by Rohit's recent century against England, describing the opener's style as a "pleasure to watch" due to his effortless play and sweet timing. He argued that India would benefit immensely from having the leadership and presence of both veterans in the dressing room during the next World Cup campaign.

Thoughts on Modern Cricket and Pakistan's Future

While acknowledging the impact of T20 cricket and the introduction of innovative shots, Abbas maintained that the fundamentals of batting—such as the cover drive and the cut shot—remain essential for any player aspiring to succeed across all formats.

Shifting his focus to his home nation, the former captain expressed optimism about the future of Pakistan cricket, specifically mentioning the return of Babar Azam as Test captain. "He is a world-class player and, once he starts scoring runs consistently again, it will have a positive impact on the rest of the team as well," Abbas concluded.