Gautam Gambhir drops bombshell verdict on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future in team India

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian Cricket Team, made a sensational statement about the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in his first press conference at the office before departing for Sri Lanka for the white-ball series.

As speculation about the longevity of Rohit and Kohli’s careers swirled after they announced retirement from T20I cricket after winning the T20 World Cup 2024, Gambhir provided a thrilling glimpse into what lies ahead for these modern-era legends.

Both have a lot of cricket left in them: Gautam Gambhir on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future

According to Gambhir, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have a significant amount of cricket left in them, and their presence will be crucial for Team India's success in upcoming major tournaments. The head coach also highlighted the invaluable contributions of Kohli and Sharma on the grand stage.

Their track records speak for themselves, showcasing their ability to deliver when it matters most. Kohli, with his aggressive batting style and sharp leadership, alongside Sharma’s elegant stroke play and tactical acumen, have made them valuable assets to the Indian cricket team.

Gambhir's claim that they still have a lot to offer us is a big hint that both Kohli and Sharma are playing pivotal roles not only in the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025 but also in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

Any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir said at the press conference: “I think they've shown what they can deliver on the big stage whether it was the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup. I think both those guys have got a lot of cricket left in them and more importantly with the Champions Trophy and a big tour of Australia, obviously they would be motivated enough and then hopefully they can keep their fitness till the 2027 World Cup as well.”

Gambhir further noted on Virat-Rohit’s future: “This is a very personal decision (retirement). Ultimately, it's up to them as well. It's up to the players how much can they contribute to the team's success because ultimately, it's the team that is important. But looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver, I think they still have a lot of cricket and they're still world-class players and obviously any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible.”

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma set to return to action with Sri Lanka tour

Notably, both Kohli and Rohit were on the break after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA. However, the new coach, Gambhir, asked them to join the Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka for the upcoming three-match ODI series, starting on August 2.

Accepting the new coach’s request, the Indian stars made themselves available for selection, as they were named in the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour, as there are only 6 ODIs scheduled for the Men in Blue before the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan in February-March.