Follow UsBCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has urged Indian cricket fans not to panic over the possible retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from ODIs, making it clear that the board will never ask the two legends to step aside. According to Shukla, the decision to call time on their ODI careers will rest entirely on them.
Kohli and Rohit, who have already retired from Tests and T20Is, now only play the 50-over format. Both have publicly expressed their ambition to continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup, though reports in recent weeks have hinted that the team management and selectors may be looking to build a squad without them before the marquee tournament.
Addressing the speculation, Shukla said in a video posted by the UP T20 League, as reported by TOI: "They haven't retired, haven't they? Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both playing One-Dayers. They haven't taken retirement, so why are you talking and worrying about their farewell? Retirement from two formats, that's the phases, but they are still playing ODIs.
"Don't worry this much. BCCI policy is quite clear; we won't ask anyone to retire, they have to make their decisions themselves. He has to take that call, and we respect that.”
When asked about having a farewell game for Kohli and Rohit, Shukla said, "We'll cross the bridge when we come to it. You are already arranging their farewell! Virat Kohli is very fit, and Rohit Sharma plays very well. Why are you worried about their farewell?"
As of now, both Kohli and Rohit are expected to return for the three-match ODI series in Australia this October. Reports also suggest that the selectors want them to feature in the upcoming ‘A’ series against Australia in India before heading Down Under, and they could additionally be asked to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy later this year to prove their form and fitness.
The two stalwarts were last seen in action during the IPL 2025, where Kohli enjoyed another prolific campaign, scoring 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71. Rohit, meanwhile, managed 418 runs, averaging 29.85 with a strike rate of 149.28.
Their recent ODI records also underline their value. Since 2023, Rohit has piled up 1,714 runs in 37 innings at an average of 48.97 and a strike rate of 117.2, while Kohli has scored 1,710 runs in 34 innings, averaging an outstanding 61.07 with a strike rate of 95.8.