The 2027 ODI World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, with matches planned for October and November 2027. Several veteran players remain active in international cricket and could feature in their national squads for the tournament.
Experience has consistently proven that age is no obstacle for accomplished all-rounders and top-order batsmen competing at the highest level.
Veteran Contenders for the 2027 ODI World Cup
Rohit Sharma (India)
Rohit Sharma, born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is 39 years old as of October 2026. Having retired from T20I cricket in June 2024 and from Test cricket in May 2025, ODIs remain his sole international format. He has continued to make himself available for 50-over cricket and has publicly expressed his desire to participate in the 2027 tournament.
Sharma’s most recent ODI before the current West Indies series came against England at Lord’s on July 19, 2026, where he delivered a sublime 138 off 110 balls. Although speculation at the time suggested it might be his final ODI appearance, he subsequently dismissed such rumors and reaffirmed his commitment to representing India.
Most recently, the 39-year-old reinforced his ongoing influence in the format by scoring 101 against the West Indies in Guwahati, marking his 35th ODI century and surpassing 12,000 runs in the discipline.
Born in 1987, Sharma will be 40 when the 14-team tournament begins. Should he be selected, he would bring vast ODI and World Cup experience to India’s campaign, having already competed in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 editions.
