India's failure to qualify for next year's Asian Cup has made a FIFA World Cup appearance in 2030 or 2034 unlikely, according to a report. The setback in football comes as a former Pakistan cricket captain has thrown his support behind India's senior cricket stars for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Zaheer Abbas, often called the 'Asian Bradman', backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, saying their experience and skills remain crucial for India's success. He argued that fitness and scoring ability should outweigh concerns about age. Abbas's endorsement was strengthened by Rohit's recent century against England. The contrasting developments highlight the different trajectories of Indian football and cricket. While the football team faces a distant dream of World Cup qualification, cricket sees veterans preparing for the next ODI World Cup. Abbas emphasized that both players still have plenty to offer at the international level.