The 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October-November, may feature several veteran cricketers whose longevity remains matched by output. Age is less relevant in ODI cricket when a player still contributes runs, wickets and match control at a competitive rate.
Experienced names still in the frame for 2027
Among the oldest likely participants, Rohit Sharma, Mohammad Nabi and Roelof van der Merwe stand out for different reasons. Each has extended his international career well beyond the usual peak window, while continuing to provide measurable value through batting, bowling or leadership.
The following table summarises the age profile and experience markers of the three players most likely to be among the oldest at the tournament:
| Player | Country | Age in Oct 2026 | Age at 2027 World Cup | Key role |
|---|
| Roelof van der Merwe | Netherlands | 41 | 42 | Left-arm spinner / lower-order batter |
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 41 | 42 | All-rounder |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 39 | 40 | Top-order batter |
Rohit Sharma: elite output keeps him relevant
Rohit Sharma will be 40 when the 14-team event begins, but his recent ODI numbers underline why age alone will not define his selection. In his last ODI before the West Indies series, he scored 138 off 110 balls against England at Lord’s on July 19, 2026, and later followed that with 101 against the West Indies in Guwahati.
Those innings carried added statistical weight. The Guwahati century was his 35th ODI hundred and took him past 12,000 runs in the format, placing him among the most productive openers in men’s ODI history.
Recent ODI benchmark
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Last ODI score vs England | 138 off 110 balls |
| Century vs West Indies | 101 |
| ODI centuries | 35 |
| ODI runs | 12,000+ |
For India, that combination of experience and volume matters. Rohit has already played in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 World Cups, which gives him a large sample of high-pressure tournament exposure that few active players can match.
Mohammad Nabi: still valuable as a two-skill player
Mohammad Nabi will be 42 during the 2027 World Cup, making him one of the oldest likely entrants if selected. Since his ODI debut against Scotland on April 19, 2009, he has remained a central figure in Afghanistan’s growth in international cricket.
Nabi’s value is built on balance rather than a single dominant metric. As a right-handed batter and right-arm off-spinner, he offers Afghanistan flexibility in team composition, especially in conditions where all-rounders can influence both innings.
Career longevity snapshot
| Metric | Detail |
|---|
| ODI debut | April 19, 2009 vs Scotland |
| Age at 2027 World Cup | 42 |
| Most recent ODI | June 20, 2026 vs India in Chennai |
| Primary value | Batting and off-spin |
His selection will still depend on fitness and form closer to the event. However, his experience across multiple World Cup cycles gives Afghanistan a seasoned option if they value control, composure and all-round depth.
Roelof van der Merwe: the oldest potential entrant
Roelof van der Merwe, who will also be 42 by the time the tournament begins, could be the oldest player in the 2027 ODI World Cup if the Netherlands qualify. Born on December 31, 1984, in Johannesburg, he has already maintained international relevance into the T20 World Cup 2026 cycle.
Van der Merwe’s profile is typical of a modern associate-nation senior pro: left-arm orthodox spin, useful lower-order batting and significant tactical utility. He also provides an example of long-range career continuity, having switched to Dutch cricket after obtaining citizenship in 2015.
Netherlands veteran profile
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Birth date | December 31, 1984 |
| Age in Oct 2026 | 41 |
| Age in 2027 World Cup | 42 |
| Main skills | Left-arm spin and right-handed batting |
His presence would also underline a broader pattern in associate cricket: experienced all-rounders often remain central because squad depth is limited and tactical versatility carries greater value than in larger teams.
Why age still matters less than output in ODIs
The common thread across these three players is not simply longevity, but continued statistical relevance. Rohit remains an elite run-scorer, Nabi remains a dual-skill option, and van der Merwe remains a dependable all-round package. In ODI cricket, those traits can outweigh age if performance remains consistent.
That is particularly true at World Cups, where teams often prioritise clarity of roles and experience under pressure. If selected, these players would add a cumulative reservoir of tournament exposure that could be critical in tight group-stage contests and knockout-like scenarios.
India’s reported World Cup schedule adds further context to Rohit’s potential campaign. The side is set to open against Australia on October 7, play Pakistan on October 10, meet Afghanistan on October 14 in Centurion, and face Zimbabwe on October 24 at Victoria Falls Stadium. For veteran players, such fixtures often become tests not just of skill, but of sustained level over a packed schedule.
Conclusion
The 2027 ODI World Cup may be remembered not only for emerging talent, but also for the continued presence of seasoned players who have retained high-level effectiveness into their 40s. Rohit Sharma’s batting volume, Mohammad Nabi’s all-round utility and Roelof van der Merwe’s tactical value show that performance metrics still shape selection more than birth dates.