Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future seems more uncertain than ever, the duo bid farewell to the Test format in May 2025 and T20Is in June 2024 following which the only format they will be playing is the ODIs. But according to the new report by Dainik Jagran, both the batters might be calling off their international career after the ODI series against Australia.
The report also hinted that if Kohli and Rohit want to play for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, they may be even asked to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in order to demonstrate their commitment and match the fitness.
Aakash Chopra Believes Kohli & Rohit Quit The Wrong Format
Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that the two stars could have retired from the wrong game, and it would have been more sensible to retire from white-ball cricket than they did from Tests.
“The duo said goodbye to the wrong format. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli suddenly decided to bid adieu to Test cricket. They said they will only play ODIs now. This is my problem. I’ll tell you why. Test cricket is the toughest format. White-ball cricket is monotonous, but the same is not the case for Tests. Tests are the toughest, while ODIs are the easiest when it comes to batters. There is relatively no pressure,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
The pair revealed their T20I retirements in June 2024, mere hours after their team had won the T20 World Cup. Their Test appearances that followed against New Zealand and Australia brought modest rewards and prompted them to put an end to their red-ball careers before the squad announcement for the England series. Having both experienced the agony of the 2023 ODI World Cup final, the two players are said to be looking for one more crack at the title in the 50-over game.
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Very Less Game Time For India’s Star Batters
Chopra, though, questioned the way Kohli and Rohit will maintain their peak ODI shape with fewer than a dozen games lined up before the next IPL. With them no longer playing in the Ranji Trophy, given their Test retirements, the absence of competitive match time might affect their rhythm and appetite.
“If you are playing just six ODIs in a year, then there are just six days of game time for you. How will you stay motivated? How will you prepare? How will you stay fit and stay in the best shape? This is what I’m thinking. You should have said that I’ll not play ODIs and T20Is, but I’ll play Tests. Consider that you had played the series against England, you would have played for 25 days. Then you would get the series against West Indies and South Africa,” he added.
No Participation In Ranji Trophy Also
“If you were playing Tests, and somehow there was a gap, you can always play Ranji Trophy. You can play county cricket. If you play the longest format, you stay in the game. When you leave Tests, obviously, you wouldn’t go to play Ranji Trophy. What’s the point of playing Ranji and county when one has retired from Tests?,” said Chopra.
Chopra Dismisses Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma Playing Vijay Hazare Trophy
“The chatter about playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the tournament will happen in December. What’s the point? There are nine ODIs for India till the next IPL. That’s about it. Just nine days of cricket action for you. You’re not playing at all. You’re not practising,” said Chopra.
“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli don’t have to play Vijay Hazare Trophy, they wouldn’t be selected based on their performance in the tournament, let’s be honest about this. It’s bogus talk. If they had played Tests and left ODIs, staying in the groove would have been easier,” he added.
The ex-opener also dismissed the possibility that the pair will feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, remaining optimistic that nothing of the sort is likely to happen.
