Two of India’s greatest white-ball cricketers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, may be heading towards their final One-Day International (ODI) series in October this year when India tours Australia. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is said to be looking ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, and planning for the future.

Both players had announced retirement from T20 Internationals in 2024 and stepped away from Test cricket earlier this year. Their recent absence from competitive matches had led to growing speculation about their future.

Fans felt relieved when Kohli recently shared a picture of himself taking throwdowns in the nets in London, while Rohit was seen back in India, appearing ready for the upcoming cricket season.

In this year’s Champions Trophy, which India won, Kohli scored 218 runs in five matches, and Rohit added 180 runs. Despite speculation about their retirement after the tournament, neither player made any announcement.

Former India captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said in Kolkata,

“I am not aware of it… Whoever does well will play. If they do well, they should continue. Kohli’s One-day record is phenomenal, even Rohit’s. Both are phenomenal in white-ball cricket.”

However, a challenge remains — both have played little cricket since the Champions Trophy. Reports suggest that English counties Middlesex and Surrey had shown interest in signing Kohli for the Royal London One-Day Cup, but the deal did not materialise.

India has 27 ODIs scheduled before the 2027 World Cup, plus the Asia Cup in 2027. For Rohit and Kohli to extend their ODI careers, they may have to take part in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and A-series matches against Australia

 and South Africa.

Former India opener and selector Devang Gandhi highlighted the performance of younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Sai Sudharshan.

“How will you make players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharshan, among others, sit out when they have shown how well they can adapt?” Gandhi asked.

He also stressed the importance of giving enough game time to ensure a smooth transition if replacements are needed.

With Shubman Gill excelling as Test captain and holding an ODI average of 59.04 with a strike rate of 99.56, many believe he could take over the 50-over leadership as well.

“There’s absolutely no doubt about the contribution of Rohit and Virat. But time doesn’t wait for anybody,” Gandhi said.

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