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By Ishaan Kapoor — 28 July 2026 — 3 min read

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has voiced strong support for Indian batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, advocating for their inclusion in India‘s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Abbas, often referred to as the ‘Asian Bradman’, believes both players possess the skill and experience necessary for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Abbas dismissed concerns regarding the age of Kohli and Sharma, stating that their continued ability to score runs and maintain fitness should be the primary factors for selection. He emphasised that age should not be a barrier as long as they remain fit and perform consistently.

Experience and fitness considerations

According to Abbas, the extensive experience of players like Kohli and Sharma becomes an invaluable asset in major ICC tournaments. He noted that for batters of their calibre, scoring runs becomes second nature after years at the highest level of cricket.

Abbas also commented on the fitness levels of the two Indian cricketers. He observed that Kohli continues to maintain exceptional physical standards. Regarding Sharma, Abbas suggested that he needs to pay a little more attention to his fitness.

The former Pakistan batter, who achieved more than 100 first-class centuries during his career, highlighted the immense benefit India would gain from having both veterans in the dressing room during the 2027 World Cup campaign.

These remarks from Abbas come amidst ongoing discussions about the future of India‘s senior players, despite their recent match-winning performances in the ODI format.

Praise for Rohit Sharma and cricketing fundamentals

Abbas specifically lauded Rohit Sharma‘s batting, recalling his century against England. He described watching Sharma bat as a pleasure, noting his effortless style and precise timing.

Sharma’s performance against England underscored his capabilities in the 50-over format, while Kohli has also consistently delivered. These performances strengthen the argument for the experienced pair to play a crucial role in the upcoming World Cup.

Reflecting on the evolution of modern cricket, Abbas acknowledged that T20 cricket has introduced many innovative strokes. However, he stressed the enduring importance of fundamental techniques, stating that any batter aspiring to succeed across all formats must master traditional shots such as the cover drive and the cut shot.

Abbas also touched upon the future of Pakistan cricket, expressing optimism. He believes that the return of Babar Azam as Test captain will lead to positive changes, anticipating that Azam’s consistent scoring will positively influence the rest of the team.

Former India batter Deep Dasgupta, however, urged both Kohli and Sharma to start strong in any series and avoid taking time to find their rhythm. He noted that in a recent series against England, which India lost 1-2, Sharma scored a century in the decider, while Kohli achieved two half-centuries, though both had struggled in the opening ODI.

Dasgupta suggested that conversations should occur with all players, not just Kohli and Sharma, about hitting the ground running from the start of a series. He also mentioned that the discussion about their future is amplified because they primarily play only one format in international cricket.

The media had reported speculation about Sharma’s potential last game at Lord’s against England, with suggestions that the selection committee might look beyond him for the World Cup in favour of players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, though the BCCI leadership denied these reports.

Abbas’s comments were made on a Pakistani television channel.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com