Table of Contents
Rohit Sharma's and Virat Kohli's futures have become one of the biggest topics to discuss among the cricket fraternity after the recent three-match ODI series against England.
There was a lot of buzz about Rohit's retirement, but that didn’t happen, and now the former Indian selector Jatin Paranjpe has shared a completely different view on the future of the senior stars.
Paranjpe believes that the BCCI should not think about replacing Rohit and Kohli before the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. He wants the BCCI to prepare a proper plan to keep both players fit, fresh, and ready for their final World Cup. Amid this, Mohammad Kaif shuts down retirement talk after Lord's hundred.
Jatin Paranjpe sends warning to BCCI over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future
Jatin Paranjpe warned the BCCI selectors and team management against looking beyond Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli if they are serious about breaking the ODI trophy jinx.
The former selector has stressed that India's chances in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup will be much stronger if Rohit and Kohli are there. Amid this, MCC makes new rule change in Test cricket; BCCI accepts it.
Jatin Paranjpe posted, X: “India needs to create a workload management plan for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the next 18 months, like they do for Jasprit Bumrah. You can’t go into the World Cup without RoKo, and the reason is simple: they, along with Gill, are your three best players.”
India need to create a workload management plan for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the next 18 months, like they do for Jasprit Bumrah. You cant go into the World Cup without RoKo, and the reason is simple, they along with Gill are your three best players.
— Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) July 20, 2026
Former selector urges BCCI to manage Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli like Jasprit Bumrah
Even the former Indian spinner has suggested that the BCCI should manage Rohit's and Kohli's workloads in the same way it manages Jasprit Bumrah's. However, he admitted that both Kohli and Rohit now play only the ODI format, yet he believes that both batters should be given a proper schedule so they stay healthy and avoid unnecessary workload over the next 18 months.
However, the former cricketer also made it clear that workload management does not mean keeping them away from the game; instead, he wants the BCCI to carefully plan their preparation in domestic cricket and practice camps at the Centre of Excellence apart from the ODI games.
Paranjpe said in another post, “Agree, but my intention was that the 18 months need to be managed to keep them well oiled, and that means domestic cricket, practice cohorts, COE involvement, AND actual ODI cricket needs to be well studied and aligned.”
Agree but my intention was that the 18 months need to be managed to keep them well oiled, and that means Domestic Cricket, Practice cohorts, COE involvement AND actual ODI cricket needs to be well studied and aligned.
— Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) July 20, 2026
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli create ODI history despite India's heartbreaking loss at Lord's
Meanwhile, India faced England in the third and final ODI at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground in London on July 19. England batted first and put up a massive total of 387/3 in 50 overs, setting India a challenging target of 388 runs.
In reply, Rohit Sharma played a stunning innings and reminded everyone why he is one of India's greatest ODI batters. The veteran opener smashed 138 runs from just 110 balls. His brilliant knock came at a time when there was a lot of talk about his retirement, and he answered all the criticism with his bat.
Virat Kohli also played a stunning knock of 74 runs and added a superb 113-run partnership for the second wicket with Rohit to keep India in the chase at Lord’s. The stand helped the legendary pair create history.
Rohit and Kohli completed their 21st-century partnership in ODIs, surpassing Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had 20 hundred-plus stands together.
