New Delhi: The cricket world is abuzz with speculation about the future of two of India’s most iconic players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, in the ODI format. This comes on the heels of India’s triumphant win at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they defeated New Zealand in the final. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were instrumental in this victory, with Kohli delivering a match-winning century against Pakistan. New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel has now chimed in, asserting that these legends have every right to decide when they want to hang up their ODI boots.
In the Champions Trophy campaign, Virat Kohli was in exceptional form, amassing 218 runs at an impressive average of 54.50. His performances included a crucial unbeaten century against Pakistan and a vital 84 against Australia in the semi-final. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma solidified his position as one of India’s most successful captains, leading the team to their second ICC title in less than nine months. This achievement follows their T20 World Cup win in 2024, where they defeated South Africa in the final.
Ajaz Patel believes that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are well within their rights to continue playing as long as they wish. “They’re the greats of the game,” he noted, highlighting their phenomenal records and the challenge they pose to bowlers. India’s victory in the Champions Trophy was a testament to their team’s strength, with New Zealand putting up a commendable performance throughout the tournament.
Patel is currently in India as part of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s delegation. He expressed excitement about the opportunity to be back in India, representing New Zealand. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 set to kick off on March 22, Patel sees it as a fantastic platform for New Zealand players to challenge themselves and gain global exposure.
