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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Mithun Manhas has shared his view on the selection debate involving Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027.
He believes fitness and performances should determine whether the two veterans remain in contention, rather than their age, while also highlighting the value of experienced players as India prepare for their next World Cup campaign.
Fitness and performance should be the criteria: Mithun Manhas gives update on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s future
Mithun Manhas believes Kohli and Rohit should be assessed on what they can contribute on the field as India moves towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. The BCCI president made it clear that selection decisions are not his to make, placing responsibility with the selectors and coaching staff.
Speaking to Sportstar, Manhas said age should not become the deciding factor when evaluating the two former India captains.
“As far as the BCCI is concerned, we are not in a position to comment because it all depends on the selectors and the coaches. But from how I look at it, fitness and performance should be the criteria for selection, and definitely not age,” he said.
He further explained that the ability to contribute to India's success should carry more weight than a player's age.
"If somebody is fit to play, and you see him performing and winning games for the country, that is the only criterion we should focus on.”
Having Virat, Hardik and Rohit in the side will definitely help him: Mithun Manhas on Shubman Gill
India will also need to prepare Shubman Gill for the responsibilities of leading the team in the next ODI World Cup. Mithun Manhas believes having experienced campaigners around the captain could make that task easier, particularly during high-pressure matches.
Kohli and Rohit have extensive experience in major international tournaments, while Hardik Pandya offers leadership experience across formats. Manhas also pointed to Jasprit Bumrah's ability to guide the bowling group, suggesting that leadership responsibilities can be shared across the team.
“Having Virat, Hardik and Rohit in the side will definitely help him. Then there are the likes of Bumrah, who could lead, who can be the bowling captains, and then somebody who will be the fielding captain. So, it is all about the distribution of workload,” Mithun Manhas said.
He added that the value of experienced players extends beyond their individual performances, as they can guide younger teammates when the pressure rises.
“They have been under pressure, and they have delivered so many times in crunch situations. So, it is a good combination,” he said.
With so many tournaments taking place and injuries being a concern: Mithun Manhas
Manhas also discussed the importance of squad depth as India manages a crowded international calendar. With players moving between formats and injuries affecting availability, a strong reserve pool can help the team maintain its competitiveness.
“With so many tournaments taking place and injuries being a concern, having bench strength helps us manage all these challenges. It is good for Indian cricket to have so much competition. Competition pushes players to perform better, so it is a healthy sign for the game,” he said.
On workload management, Manhas indicated that the BCCI's approach would need to account for the needs of individual players rather than follow a single plan for everyone.
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