BCCI’s Candid Stance on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI Careers: “Obviously, If They…”

Uncertainty Looms Over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI Future; Possible Exit After Australia Tour.

The future of Indian cricket veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in One Day Internationals (ODIs) remains uncertain, with reports suggesting the duo may not be part of India’s plans until the 2027 ODI World Cup. Both players have already stepped away from T20 Internationals and Test cricket in the last year, fueling speculation that their ODI careers could also be nearing an end.

According to Dainik Jagran, Rohit and Kohli might retire from ODIs after India’s upcoming tour of Australia in October, which features three 50-over matches. A source from the team management was quoted saying, “Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma do not fit in our plans for the ODI World Cup 2027.” The report further claimed that although the duo wished to be part of the England tour, selectors informed them they were unlikely to be included, prompting their decision to retire from the format.

However, a separate report by PTI indicates that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not finalized any decision on their ODI futures yet. The focus remains on upcoming tournaments such as the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup next year. A BCCI insider, speaking anonymously, told PTI,
“Obviously, if they (Rohit and Kohli) have something in mind, they would communicate it to the BCCI, as they did before the England Test tour. From the Indian team’s perspective, the next big assignment is the T20 World Cup in February, and preparations will be geared towards that. The immediate focus is to send the best team for the Asia Cup T20, hoping all players are fit and available.”

So far, neither Rohit nor Kohli have confirmed whether they are targeting the 2027 ODI World Cup. The BCCI reportedly prefers a cautious approach, taking into account public sentiment before making any official announcements, given the players’ massive fan base.

India’s ODI tour of Australia starts on October 19, with matches in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney. This will be followed by three home ODIs against South Africa in December. The 2026 schedule also includes ODI series against New Zealand, Afghanistan, England, the West Indies, and another series against New Zealand.