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The buzz around Rohit Sharma's and Virat Kohli's ODI futures continues to be the hot topic, and now former Indian fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad has joined the debate. Following the retirement rumours, Prasad said both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should continue playing as long as they want and no one should force them to leave the game.
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Prasad was asked to share his views on the ongoing buzz around Kohli and Rohit’s World Cup dream, and he felt neither the BCCI nor the selectors and team management have the right to decide their ODI future. Why Rohit Sharma hasn't retired from ODIs yet, reveals childhood coach.
Venkatesh Prasad says no one should force Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli to retire
Both Virat and Rohit have retired from Test and T20I cricket and have made it clear that the aim is to play in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, but Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar and their teams want to prepare the young players for the mega event.
However, Venkatesh Prasad believes that Rohit and Virat have given everything to Indian cricket over the years and have fully earned the right to decide when they want to retire.
He also urged the Indian cricket team management to allow both the former Indian captains on the team to play in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 because they still have a lot to offer. Amid this, Ex-CSK star questions Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup future despite Lord's century.
Venkatesh Prasad backs Rohit, Virat till the 2027 World Cup
Venkatesh Prasad was quoted as saying by ANI: “100%. I have always said that. They should be given that freedom. They have earned the freedom to take a call whenever they want to retire from the game. I don't think anybody should be forcing them to take that call.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: On whether he thinks Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have more cricket to play, KSCA Chairman and former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad says, "100%. I have always said that. They should be given that freedom. They have earned the freedom to take a… pic.twitter.com/73GhUxW1uM
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026
Yesterday's innings at Lodge, where he (Rohit Sharma) became the first Indian cricketer to score a hundred at Lodge, in itself shows that he still has everything. It is important to have both Virat and Rohit till the end of the World Cup 2027.”
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli target the 2027 ODI World Cup after leaving Tests and T20Is
Prasad's strong support for Rohit came after the former Indian captain played one of the best innings of his ODI career. On July 19, Rohit smashed a brilliant 138 runs from just 110 balls against England at Lord's. He also became the first Indian batter to score an ODI hundred at the famous Lord’s.
Earlier, there were reports that the Ajit Agarkar-led Indian selection committee was looking beyond Rohit for the 2027 ICC World Cup. It was reported that the selectors wanted to prepare young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for the future and did not see Rohit as part of their long-term plans.
However, the BCCI rejected all such reports. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia made it clear that there was no question of forcing Rohit Sharma to retire. Even the current Indian captain Shubman Gill also said that there had been no discussion inside the team about Rohit's retirement.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli's situation is slightly different. Kohli has made it clear that he wants to play in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, and he is fully focused on his goal, but he will continue only if he feels valued and contributes.
Well, it is almost certain that Kohli will be part of India's squad for the ICC World Cup in South Africa if he continues his current form with the bat.
