"What after Champions Trophy 2025?'- Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma's future questioned by former Indian cricketer after Gautam Gambhir's appointment

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra issued a warning to Gautam Gambhir about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after being appointed as head of the Indian men's cricket team. Aakash Chopra highlighted that Gautam Gambhir would face challenges as India's head coach, particularly in managing transitions in ODIs after the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as head coach after Rahul Dravid's tenure concluded. The former opener will take over the charge of the team for the next three years. He will coach the team in ICC tournaments, including the 2024 Champions Trophy, the 2026 T20 World Cup, and the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Veteran cricketers Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their T20I retirements after the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. The senior cricketers will prioritize their ODI matches and red-ball cricket. The Indian team will focus on preparing to clinch the title in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Aakash Chopra questions Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma's future after Gautam Gambhir comes in

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated that Gautam Gambhir will need to plan for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja's future in ODIs after the 2025 Champions Trophy. Chopra noted that the veteran players are unlikely to leave Tests at the moment.

"He will have to manage the transition. One has become easy as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) have said that their T20I career is over. So you have started walking on a new path by default in the shortest format. I don't think any of them is leaving Tests at the moment," Chopra said.

"ODI cricket will be that 50-50 thing, that what after the Champions Trophy? The next World Cup is in 2027, so the transition will start after the Champions Trophy. He will have to figure it out. The truth is we are talking about players who are legends, whose names come among the greatest of all times. So they would also know when and how to leave, and whether any of them can stay till 2027," he added.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja faced disappointment in losing the 2023 ODI World Cup final to Australia in Ahmedabad. It's uncertain about their participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Virat won the ODI World Cup in 2011, while the other two did not achieve this feat in their careers.

Rahul Dravid Has Left Behind A Fantastic Legacy - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra stated that Gautam Gambhir will have to match Rahul Dravid's legacy as India's head coach. Chopra pointed out that Rahul Dravid guided the team to finals in the ICC tournaments across formats in the past year.

"Dravid has left behind a fantastic legacy because of the job he did. Rohit Sharma also wrote a huge post about that legacy. Maintaining and taking the legacy forward will be a challenging task," Chopra further stated.

The cricketer-turned-commentator acknowledged Gautam Gambhir's strong credentials as a captain and mentor in the Indian Premier League. Chopra pointed out that Gambhir's uncompromising coaching style worked in junior cricket but questioned his success at the senior level.