Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president, Rajeev Shukla, commented on their availability for ODIs, noting that while their absence is felt in the other formats, the team is glad they will continue to play the 50-over game.
The ongoing Test series between India and England is the first in a long time without either Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, as both announced their retirement from the longest format just before the series began.
Having retired from T20Is last year after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, both players struggled in Test cricket but had planned to travel to England, as they had expressed their desire to participate in the series.
In a surprising turn, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their Test retirements within ten days of each other in May. However, they made it clear that they intend to continue playing ODIs, with their sights set on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“It is good for us that both will be available for the ODIs,” says Rajeev Shukla on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Rajeev Shukla, vice-president of the BCCI, spoke about the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from certain formats, emphasizing their status as great batsmen and clarifying that their retirements were personal decisions. Speaking to ANI, Shukla stated:
“We all feel the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their decision to retire was entirely their own. It is BCCI’s policy never to ask any player to retire. We will always regard them as outstanding batsmen. It is good for us that both will continue to be available for the ODIs.”
The ongoing speculation about whether the upcoming ODI series against Australia would be the last for the duo has been widespread. However, according to multiple reports, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to feature in next month’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka.
If you want, I can also help draft a caption for the accompanying photo of Rohit Sharma celebrating a wicket.
