Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain focused on ODIs. After retiring from T20Is last year post-World Cup victory and from Test cricket in May, the duo gears up for India’s ODI series in Australia. Scheduled for October 19, 23, and 25 in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney, the series marks their return since the IPL. A planned ODI tour against Bangladesh this month was cancelled, delaying their comeback.
Speculation about their future has surged. A Dainik Jagran report suggested the Australia series might be their final ODI stint, with the 2027 World Cup looming. At 39 and 41 by then, Kohli and Sharma face challenges maintaining form. Kohli has targeted the 2027 World Cup, while Sharma aims to claim the elusive white-ball ICC trophy. Yet, rumours of a farewell series sparked debate.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla dismissed the idea on the Two Sloggers Podcast. “When did they retire? They’re playing ODIs. Why worry about a farewell?” Shukla said, visibly irked. “Our policy is clear. We don’t force retirements. Players decide, and we respect that. Kohli is fit, Sharma is in form. No need to overthink.”
Since the IPL, both players have kept low profiles. Kohli, briefly in England, attended a Yuvraj Singh event in London, joking about dyeing his beard. A viral grey-beard photo stirred social media, but Kohli quashed retirement talk with an Instagram training post. He trained intensely at Lord’s for two hours. Sharma, back in India, hit the gym with former coach Abhishek Nayar.
Social media buzzes with discussions on their absence. After the Champions Trophy in February, India’s next ODIs are in October. Some reports suggest the Australia series could be their last, given the two-year gap to the 2027 World Cup. Shukla rejected comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar’s 2013 farewell Test series, stressing Kohli and Sharma’s active ODI status.
Former opener Aakash Chopra called speculation about their Vijay Hazare Trophy participation “bogus.” He noted India’s sparse ODI schedule—nine matches until the next IPL (three each against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand). “They won’t be selected based on domestic performance,” Chopra said on YouTube. “Test cricket would’ve kept them in rhythm, but ODIs are different.”
Ticket sales for the Australia series are booming. Kohli and Sharma, undeterred by rumours, are set to shine in October.
