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As rumors swirl about the possible retirement of Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla breaks his silence — is the Australia ODI series their final bow or just another chapter in their legacy?
BCCI denies retirement rumors surrounding Kohli and Rohit.
New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla has dismissed growing speculation that the upcoming ODI series against Australia could mark the end of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s international careers. Addressing the issue after India’s series win over the West Indies, Shukla made it clear that the decision to retire lies entirely with the players.
“There is nothing like this being their last series,” Shukla told a news agency. “It is up to the players when they want to retire. To say this would be their last is absolutely wrong,” he added.
Shukla also lauded the two stalwarts, emphasizing their importance to India’s ODI setup. “Both Rohit and Virat are great batsmen, and with their presence, we have a better chance of defeating Australia,” he added.
Despite their advancing ages, both players remain crucial to India’s strategy for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been selected for the Australia tour, signaling that the team management still values their experience and match-winning abilities.
Rohit, India’s fourth-highest ODI run-getter, has amassed 11,168 runs in 273 matches at an average of 48.76, including 32 centuries. In 2025 alone, he has scored 302 runs in eight ODIs at a strike rate of 108.24, with one century and one fifty.
Team India set to depart for Australia tour; All eyes on Rohit and Virat
Kohli, meanwhile, remains India’s second-highest run-scorer in ODIs, with 14,181 runs in 302 matches at an average of 57.88. This year, he has notched up 275 runs in seven ODIs with a century and two fifties. Both players, who have already retired from Tests and T20Is, now focus exclusively on the 50-over format.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been selected for the Australia tour.
The rise of young talents like Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Tilak Varma has led to discussions about India’s future batting core. Gill, now leading the ODI side, recently guided India to a series victory over the West Indies, marking a strong home comeback after last year’s rare 0–3 whitewash against New Zealand.
Shukla praised the young unit, saying, “I want to congratulate Team India for winning the West Indies series under Shubman Gill’s captaincy. Playing a competitive series before Australia helps build momentum.”
The upcoming ODI series in Australia, beginning October 19, is seen as a key test for India’s balance between experience and youth. Shukla expressed full confidence in India’s chances, asserting, “There’s always strong competition in Australia, but I am confident we will win there.”
In India’s latest Test victory over West Indies, standout performances came from Yashasvi Jaiswal (175), Shubman Gill (129)*, and bowlers Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, reaffirming India’s depth ahead of the crucial Australian challenge.
While the chatter around Kohli and Rohit’s retirement refuses to fade, BCCI’s official word confirms — the legends are far from done. As they prepare to face Australia, fans can expect to see the ‘Ro-Ko’ duo continue scripting new chapters in Indian cricket history.
