‘If five men can’t stop Lionel Messi…’: Harbhajan’s big argument for Virat Kohli’s World Cup place
Harbhajan Singh’s Messi Argument for Kohli’s 2027 World Cup Place
Bharatmorningnews.com – If five men can t stop Lionel Messi from dominating the football pitch, why should age be a barrier for Virat Kohli in cricket? This compelling question lies at the heart of former India spinner Harbhajan Singh’s passionate defense of the batting legend’s place in the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. The debate over whether veteran players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserve automatic selection has gained significant momentum following their impressive recent performances. Kohli has consistently delivered crucial runs across multiple formats, while Rohit Sharma’s magnificent century at Lord’s demonstrated that experience still commands respect on the global stage.
Both captains have been vocal about their desire to continue representing India at the highest level, and their current form provides substantial evidence in their favor. Kohli’s fitness levels remain exceptional, allowing him to compete effectively against much younger opponents. Meanwhile, Rohit has undergone a remarkable physical transformation, shedding weight and maintaining the agility required for modern cricket. As the tournament approaches, their combined experience could prove invaluable to India’s campaign.
Performance Over Chronology in Selection
Harbhajan Singh firmly believes that cricket selection should prioritize current performance rather than chronological age. When addressing Kohli’s prospects for the 2027 World Cup, the former spinner emphasized how the batter’s physical condition enables him to challenge emerging talents effectively. The Messi comparison serves as a powerful illustration of this philosophy. Harbhajan pointed out that the Argentine football icon continues to excel remarkably despite being in his late thirties, proving that skill and fitness transcend age boundaries.
“Whoever the player is, I believe the marker should be performance, not age. Virat may be 39 but if he is still beating those 20-year-old guys on the field, it (his age) doesn’t matter. Look at Lionel Messi. At 40 (39), five men fail to stop him. If a player has that kind of fitness and skill where even five opponents can’t keep him at bay, then we know that skill always takes precedence,” Harbhajan stated during a PTI podcast.
Veteran Experience and Future Prospects
The former spinner further elaborated that seasoned campaigners deserve substantial consideration when evaluating players such as Kohli and Rohit. He believes the pair have secured their right to selection, contingent upon maintaining fitness benchmarks and contributing consistently with the bat. Harbhajan juxtaposed their extensive background against emerging talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who possesses tremendous potential for instant impact but lacks the accumulated years of international exposure.
“If I were the coach, my job would be to give them the platform as my expectations from Rohit and Virat would be much higher than what I expect from a Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. These two have that experience. They have experience of 300 games which Sooryavanshi won’t have. Yes, a Sooryavanshi can walk in and blast bowlers but Virat and Rohit have the experience. Fitness is a priority, and your performance matters. Performance is the ultimate criterion. So if these two score runs and can match the fitness of a Shreyas (Iyer) or a Yashasvi (Jaiswal), then nothing else matters,” Harbhajan asserted.
The discussion underscores a broader theme in modern cricket: balancing youthful energy with veteran composure, where individual merit ultimately determines selection rather than chronological milestones. If five men can t stop Messi from controlling matches, then perhaps age should not prevent Kohli from leading India’s batting lineup in the World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harbhajan Singh’s main argument for Virat Kohli’s World Cup place?
Harbhajan Singh argues that performance should be the primary selection criterion rather than age. He uses Lionel Messi as an example, noting that if five men cannot stop the football legend at age 39-40, then Kohli’s age should not be a concern for cricket selectors.
How does Harbhajan compare Kohli and Rohit to younger players?
The former spinner compares Kohli and Rohit to emerging talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, emphasizing that while young players can deliver instant impact, the veterans bring 300 games of experience and higher expectations to crucial matches.
What role does fitness play in Harbhajan’s selection philosophy?
Fitness is described as a priority alongside performance. Harbhajan states that if Kohli and Rohit can match the fitness levels of younger players like Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal while delivering runs, then age becomes irrelevant in selection decisions.
When is the 2027 ODI World Cup scheduled to take place?
The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled to be hosted in South Africa, with matches expected to span across multiple venues in the country during the tournament period.