The Meritocracy Debate: Why MS Dhoni is Challenging India’s ‘Transition Plan’ for Kohli and Rohit

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MS Dhoni has sparked a major debate in Indian cricket by publicly countering the cautious approach of Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar regarding the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He spoke at a recent event about the legendary veteran duo and dismissed age as a barrier for these players.

He believes that fitness and performance should be the only rules for selection. Dhoni’s firm "Why not?" response directly challenges the current management's plan. He is advocating for the inclusion of the two icons based on their skills rather than forced retirement.

Performance Over Birth Certificates: Dhoni’s Insider Take

MS Dhoni is known for being straightforward. His recent defense of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shows a split in how leaders think. Dhoni argues that you cannot simply replace experience. He compared this to his own career and noted that no one told him to stop as long as he was playing well.

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As reported by Zee News, Dhoni stated: "For me, age is not a criteria. Performance, fitness, these are the criteria... If you're 35 and fit, then 35 doesn't matter. Performance matters equally for a 24-year-old and a 35-year-old. If people are performing, they’ll be there. If they aren’t, they won’t."

This view is a direct answer to Gambhir’s ‘practical decisions’ of training younger players early to avoid future problems. Dhoni’s "chuck him out anytime" comment was actually a reminder to the selectors. He believes that if they are fit and winning, they should play. If they start to fail, they can be removed regardless of their fame.

Will the BCCI’s New Contract Structure Force an Early Retirement?

Public debates usually focus on fitness, but the real pressure might come from the BCCI’s proposed restructuring of central contracts. This is a hidden factor that could push senior players to retire. Reports from TOI show that the selection committee wants to remove the elite ‘Grade A+’ category, which is currently worth Rs. 7 crore.

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"Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who featured in the Grade A+ in the 2024-25 list, are now exclusive ODI players, and are therefore likely to be placed in Category B if the model is approved," according to reports sourced by Hindustan Times.

This change to Grade B would mean a 57% pay cut. However, money is not the issue for these stars. The BCCI is sending a clear message by removing the top-tier tag. They are making younger players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant the new priorities. This financial shift creates a difficult environment, pushing the senior players to walk away before 2027 if they feel the management is no longer supportive.