Sports: Following their retirement from Test and T20I formats, veteran Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have now turned their attention solely to One Day Internationals (ODIs). While fans are hopeful the duo will lead India’s campaign at the 2027 ODI World Cup, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed doubts about their participation in the marquee tournament.
“It won’t be easy. Just 15 games a year. I’ve got no advice; they know the game as much as I do. But we must all understand — like everyone else, the game will eventually move on from them, and they from the game,” Ganguly told PTI.
He acknowledged that both Rohit and Virat bring immense experience, but also pointed out that age, match fitness, and limited ODI opportunities in the coming years could prove to be major challenges.
India’s ODI Schedule in Late 2025:
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August – Tour of Bangladesh (3 ODIs)
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October – Home series vs Australia (3 ODIs)
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End of 2025 – Home series vs South Africa (3 ODIs)
With only nine ODIs slated in the second half of 2025, both players will have limited chances to prove their readiness for the 2027 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Kohli & Rohit: ODI Legends
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Virat Kohli: Over 13,500 ODI runs at an average close to 58, with a record 50 centuries — the most in ODI history.
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Rohit Sharma: More than 10,000 ODI runs with an average of nearly 49, including an unmatched three double centuries.
Kohli is widely regarded for his consistency and chasing ability, while Rohit’s temperament and knack for big-match performances have made him a cornerstone of India’s limited-overs setup.
Despite questions about longevity, the duo remains key to India’s ODI ambitions. Whether they can sustain their form and fitness until 2027, however, remains to be seen.
