New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified that the upcoming ODI series against Australia will not mark the final international appearances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla emphasized that decisions on retirement rest entirely with the players. He spoke after India’s seven-wicket win over West Indies in the second Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Rohit and Kohli have been included in the Australia squad with an eye on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, even as Shubman Gill takes over ODI captaincy and younger talents like Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Tilak Varma have impressed in recent India A series against Australia. This has fueled speculation about the future of the two veterans, who will be 40 and 39 respectively during the 2027 World Cup.
Shukla dismissed such notions, saying, “This is very beneficial for us. Both Rohit and Kohli are great batsmen, and with them in the squad, we will be stronger against Australia. To say this is their last series is absolutely wrong.”
Rohit Sharma is India’s fourth-highest run-getter in ODIs with 11,168 runs in 273 matches, including 32 centuries and 58 fifties. In eight ODIs this year, he has scored 302 runs at an average of 37.75. Virat Kohli, India’s second-highest ODI run-getter, has amassed 14,181 runs in 302 matches with 51 centuries and 74 fifties, scoring 275 runs in seven ODIs this year at an average of 45.83. Both players, having retired from Tests and T20Is, will now focus exclusively on ODIs.
Shukla also praised the Shubman Gill-led team for their recent comeback, winning the West Indies series after a rare whitewash loss to New Zealand last year. He expressed confidence about India’s prospects in Australia, stating, “Playing the West Indies before Australia makes a big difference, and I am confident we will win in Australia.”
In the second Test against West Indies, India posted 518/5 declared, with centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (175) and Shubman Gill (129*). WI fought back with a 177-run partnership between John Campbell and Shai Hope but was eventually set a target of 121. India chased it down with seven wickets to spare, KL Rahul finishing unbeaten on 58*.
The ODI series against Australia is scheduled to begin on October 19, with both Rohit and Kohli expected to play pivotal roles.
