After Tests, Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma flagged off for ODI retirement before 2027 World Cup
Published - 27 May 2025, 12:32 PM | Updated - 27 May 2025, 02:06 PM
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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may face a tough road ahead as they look to continue their ODI careers after saying goodbye to both Test and T20I formats. Reacting to their future ahead, Anil Kumble has raised concerns about whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can maintain the high fitness standards required for the 50-over format now that they’ve retired from Tests and T20Is.
Both Rohit and Virat retired from T20I cricket after winning the ICC T20 World Cup in June 2024, and now, earlier this month, they have called time on their Test careers as well. Now, they are only focusing on ODI cricket, but doubts are starting to grow about how long they'll continue.
Anil Kumble sees tough path ahead for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODIs
Their next big target is the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, which is still two years away, and there’s no clarity yet on whether the legendary duo will stay in the frame until then. Virat Kohli and Rohit’s last appearance in the 50-over format came during India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory in March this year, and the next ODI assignment is scheduled in August.
Well, Anil Kumble believes that it won’t be easy for the Indian batting icons to prepare only for occasional ODIs now. The physical demands, long gaps between matches, and lack of rhythm could all pose a challenge to the duo, according to the legendary spinner.
Anil Kumble was quoted as saying by India Today, “It's not easy to just do what they need to in terms of preparing for an ODI, which is six months down the line. It's going to be a challenge, no matter who you are and how well you have had your career over the years. But they are champion players, so they know how to sort of maneuver that.”
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Anil Kumble urges fans to celebrate Rohit Sharma and Anil Kumble as long as they play
However, the former Indian head coach also emphasized that fans should enjoy watching two of India’s greatest players while they’re still active in ODI cricket.
He further noted, “It's important to celebrate champion players as long as they play. You go into threadbare detail of each performance as to how they should have played or how they could have played. What is important is to celebrate whatever is out there with the two players.”
The former Indian coach also feels both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would love to finish their ODI careers lifting the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027. Kumble further said, “Ideally, they would like to play until the 2027 World Cup, because that's something that did not happen. We saw that 2023 (World Cup) final with Australia holding the trophy.”
They would certainly want to make a mark in Australia: Anil Kumble
India will tour Australia in October for a blockbuster white-ball series featuring three ODIs and five T20Is. All eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and Kumble said that the fans would be eager to see the two legends thrilling them with their performances.
He signed off by saying, “The legends who are no longer playing in the other format will certainly want to make a mark, Virat and Rohit, and I'm sure a lot of people would want to watch that in Australia.”
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