Kapil Dev hints that Kohli and Sharma are “past their prime.”

Kapil Dev recently remarked that fitness will be key, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ages passing a player’s prime age, which he considers to be between the ages of 26 and 34.

Kapil Dev believes that a player’s prime age is between 26 and 34, and with Rohit Sharma, 37, and Virat Kohli, 35, fitness will be key. The former India captain feels that fitness has helped keep these players going in their careers. He indirectly expressed his concerns about Kohli and Sharma, hinting that the two match winners are past their prime.

Kapil Dev talks about a player’s prime age.

India’s first World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, recently spoke about a player’s prime age. He retired from international cricket at age 35 and reckons that once a player crosses 34, his future relies on how the body is holding up. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, 37 and 35, respectively, given their age, have been in pretty good shape and will be gunning for glory in next year’s Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship final, provided India qualify. However, according to Kapil Dev, post 34, how long a cricketer can carry on is directly proportional to fitness. As quoted saying on MyKhel, Kapil Dev said, “In my opinion, the period between 26 and 34 years is your prime, and thereafter, the fitness of the players will ensure their longevity.”

Kapil Dev quotes examples of Ravi Shastri and Sachin Tendulkar.

Though Kapil Dev avoided sharing his thoughts on when Kohli and Sharma should retire, he emphasized this decision is theirs alone, and no one knows it better than them. He added, “Ravi Shastri retired at a very early age, while Sachin Tendulkar had a longer stint. So it is completely up to the individual to decide their ways of life. My way of thinking is to stay fit and keep playing as long as you are enjoying the game.”