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The uncertainty over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s chances in the 2027 ODI World Cup has caught the attention of veteran Kapil Dev. While many have blamed, and perhaps are blaming, head coach Gautam Gambhir for the uncertainty over the two superstars’ chances at the upcoming major event.
To shed some light on the much-discussed situation, the former India captain explains how a team naturally settles. During a podcast for Sports Tak YouTube channel, Kapil Dev explained that it is the panel of selectors, not the coach, who sets the framework for the team.
Kapil Dev explains how a team is selected behind the scenes
Kapil Dev explained that before announcing the team, the selection committee proposed names to the team captain and then the manager to understand what the leaders and other top heads of the team were thinking. But the selectors can also choose a group of players without discussing it with the captain.
“First, there are five selectors. Then go to the captain to ask questions. Then, you go to the manager to understand his thought process. But if the first five selectors decide he is good enough, then you don’t need to go to the captain or the manager. And if the selectors are doing their job properly, then it’s fine,” Kapil Dev said in the podcast.
Should the selectors consider Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the 2027 ODI World Cup?
Currently, Virat Kohli is 37 years old, and Rohit Sharma is 39 years old; Should the selectors consider the names of these two legends for the ODI World Cup considering their age? What will be the criteria for selection and who will be selected for the tournament depends entirely on what the selectors think, as mentioned by Kapil Dev again.
The former captain also said, age can be a parameter for selection, but if a player is fit and playing well, he deserves to be included in the team for the World Cup.
He said, “You have no idea what is the thought process of the selectors for the 2027 World Cup. And sometimes you say, how can a 25-year-old retire? They do that. If you are fit, if you have the ability, if you can, play till the age of 39. If you are performing, don’t let age count.”
Can age factor play a decisive role during the selection process?
Kapil Dev further said that age is often considered a factor in selection, especially when a player is above 30 years of age. He explained that when a young cricketer loses his form, he has a lot of time to rebuild his form. If the cricketer, who is relatively older, has less time to rediscover form.
“Yes, the problem with age is that if you are having a bad phase, the public selectors will tell everyone that it is their time. But if the same person is having a bad phase at the age of 20, it is okay. Time comes back. Yes, but if there is a bad phase at the age of 30, it is time to go. This happens often,” he concluded.
