Jacques Kallis Backs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to Feature in 2027 ODI World Cup

Former South African legend Jacques Kallis has strongly endorsed Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup, emphasizing that both players have earned the right to decide their own retirement timeline. Kallis’s backing comes despite questions surrounding their age and reduced workload, as Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 38 when the tournament takes place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Kallis highlighted the consistent performance of both batters in the 50-over format, which justifies their continued presence. In 2025, Kohli was India’s leading ODI run-scorer with 651 runs in 13 matches at a remarkable average of 65.10. Rohit Sharma was close behind, accumulating 650 runs in 14 matches while maintaining a strike rate over 100. Their continued dominance suggests that age remains just a number for the two IPL icons.

With both players having retired from T20Is and Tests in 2024 and 2025, respectively, their focus is now squarely on the ODI format. Kallis believes that given their experience and understanding of their physical condition, the decision to continue playing until 2027 should rest entirely with the players themselves, allowing them to exit the game on their own terms.