Chief coach of India Gautam Gambhir offered a pragmatic view of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma with the ODI World Cup in South Africa. He noted that the tournament was more than two years old and expressed the hope that veteran dough together with the team would bring strong performance against Australia in the upcoming series.
“They are high -quality players and their experience will be invaluable. With the 2027 World Championship, it is still 2.5 years away, it is important to concentrate on the present. Kohli and Rohit are both exceptional players and their return will be a great strengthening.
Kohli and Rohit who defined Indian cricket white balls For nearly two decades, they have been ready to go back in blue for the ODI three -way series against Australia from October 19. Both were preparing an isolated – Rohit after a strict fitness regime in Mumbai, allegedly shed almost ten kilograms, while Kohli tuned his rhythm in London.
Both legends left the T20is after the triumph in India 2024 of the World Cup and retired from the test cricket in May this year and left them only for ODI. Their future has been the subject of many speculation since then. While many discussed their potential role in the Indian World Cup team in India 2027, the chairman of the BCCI selectors Ajit Agarkar recently added nuance to the discussion and noted that both remain insignificant and that at the right time the final decision would be taken.
The practice of age and match remains the biggest challenges. Rohit will be 40 and a half, while Kohli turns 39 during the tournament. Since June, he has not played a professional cricket and raised questions about their readiness for international intensity action. The script attracts a parallel with Steve Smith, whose retirement ODI after the Australian championship trophy has surprised a lot.
On Sunday, India will launch a series of ODI against Australia in Perth, with the second and third ODIS scheduled for Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25). The series will be followed by five T20i, starting with Canberra 29. October.
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Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
October 14, 2025
