Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma ODI Future: The two biggest stars of Indian cricket—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—are now playing only one format in international cricket. Both have already retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, but not from ODIs. Their eyes are now set directly on the 2027 ODI World Cup. This is the same tournament in which they want to avenge the painful defeat in the 2023 World Cup final. Just as they bid adieu to the shortest format in a memorable way by winning the T20 World Cup in June 2024, they want the same kind of ending in ODIs as well.
But in the meantime, former Team India opener and cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has questioned their decision. According to him, Kohli and Rohit have retired from the wrong format. He believes that continuing with ODIs and quitting Tests is the wrong strategy.
BCCI’s plan and the challenge of aging
According to a Hindi newspaper report, after the three-match ODI series against Australia, both the veterans may be asked by the BCCI to retire from ODIs as well. The board believes that if they want to play in the 2027 World Cup, they will have to participate in the domestic tournament—Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Questions are also being raised about advancing age and fitness. Playing till 2027, that too only in a limited-match format like ODIs, seems difficult. The international calendar of ODI cricket has now shrunk to only a few series in a year, which can make it a challenge for players to maintain rhythm and fitness.
Aakash Chopra’s argument: Why quitting Tests was a mistake
On his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra clearly said, “Both retired from the wrong format. The decision to suddenly quit Test cricket and play only ODIs is beyond comprehension.”
He further explained that Test cricket is the toughest format. White-ball games, i.e., T20 and ODIs, may be relatively easy and monotonous in his eyes, but Test cricket is the biggest test of technique, patience, and mental strength. This is the biggest challenge for a batsman, while he described ODIs as the “easiest” format.
Question of motivation and rhythm to play in ODIs
Aakash Chopra also argued that the opportunities to play in ODIs are extremely limited. “If you play only six ODIs in a year, you will have only six days of match practice. In such a situation, how will you keep yourself motivated? How will you prepare? How will you maintain fitness and form?” he raised the question.
According to Chopra, if Kohli and Rohit continued with Test cricket, they would have been active in the game for a long time in the year. For example, if they played a Test series against England, they would have spent 25 days on the field. After that, there would have been long series against West Indies and South Africa as well, which would have maintained both fitness and rhythm.
2027 World Cup: Dream or difficult challenge?
In the current scenario, Kohli and Rohit’s entire focus is on the 2027 World Cup. But the question is, will they be able to maintain their game at the top level by playing only ODIs for the next two and a half years? The limited ODI calendar can become a hindrance for fitness, match practice, and mental preparation.
The dilemma for cricket lovers remains—will these two giants take the field with the same energy and performance that we have seen in the last decade? Or will their sheen fade with time?
For now, the talks between the BCCI and the two players will determine the next chapter of this story. But one thing is for sure—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s names will be in the news till the 2027 World Cup, whether it is a story of glorious victory or an unfulfilled dream.