The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled to be hosted jointly by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, with the tournament set to run through October and November
2027. Several veteran players are still active in international cricket and could be part of their respective squads for the event.
Age has rarely been a barrier for experienced all-rounders and top-order batters who continue to perform at the highest level.
Here are 3 of the oldest players likely to play the 2027 ODI WC:
3. Rohit Sharma (India)
Rohit Sharma was born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and is 39 years old as of October 2026. He retired from T20I cricket in June 2024 and from Test cricket in May 2025, leaving the ODIs as his only format in international cricket. Rohit has continued to make himself available for the 50-over format and has publicly indicated his desire to play in the 2027 edition.
Rohit's last ODI before the current West Indies series came against England at Lord's on July 19, 2026, where he scored a brilliant 138 off 110 balls. Despite reports at the time suggesting that the match could be his final ODI, Rohit subsequently dismissed speculation over his international future and reiterated his focus on representing India.
Recently, the 39-year-old further underlined his continued impact in the format by scoring 101 against the West Indies in Guwahati, his 35th ODI century, while also crossing the landmark of 12,000 runs in the format.
The 1987-born will be 40 at the commencement of the 2027 edition of the 14-team tournament. If selected, he would bring enormous ODI and World Cup experience to India's campaign, having already featured in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 editions.
2. Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)
Mohammad Nabi was born on January 1, 1985, in Logar, Afghanistan, and is 41 years old as of October 2026. He will turn 42 on January 1, 2027, meaning he will be 42 during the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to be played in October-November. Nabi is a right-handed batter and right-arm off-spinner who has been one of the most experienced players in Afghan cricket, having made his international debut in 2009.
Nabi made his ODI debut against Scotland on April 19, 2009, and has remained an important all-rounder for Afghanistan across formats. He most recently played an ODI against India in Chennai on June 20, 2026, while he also continued to feature in T20I cricket during 2026.
With more than a decade of international experience, Nabi has also been part of Afghanistan's rise on the global stage, including their appearances at multiple World Cups. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives him a different value to the Afghan side. However, his participation in the 2027 World Cup will ultimately depend on his fitness, form, and selection closer to the tournament.
1. Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands)
Roelof van der Merwewas born on December 31, 1984, in Johannesburg, South Africa, making him 41 years old as of October 1, 2026. By the time the World Cup 2027 arrives, the senior all-rounder will be 42 years old, making him potentially the oldest to play the upcoming tournament. Van der Merwe is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and right-handed batsman who currently represents the Dutch side.
Born in South Africa, van der Merwe obtained Dutch citizenship in 2015 and subsequently joined the Netherlands as a professional cricketer. He was active in the T20 World Cup 2026, confirming his continued presence at the international level. If the Netherlands qualify for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Van der Merwe could become one of the oldest players to feature in the tournament.
