(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Reportedly Set to Retire from ODIs After Australia Series
Indian cricket could be on the verge of a major transition, with reports suggesting that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may retire from One Day Internationals (ODIs) later this year.
According to Indian media, the away series against Australia in October 2025 is expected to be their final appearance in the format. Both stars have already stepped away from Tests and T20 Internationals, and this move would mark the complete end of their illustrious international careers.
The speculation comes amid a reported shift in the BCCI’s long-term vision, which no longer features the veteran duo in plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. By then, both Kohli and Rohit will be nearing 40, and selectors are said to be focusing on grooming the next generation of talent.
India’s emerging stars — Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Abishek Sharma, and Tilak Verma — have already made strong claims for permanent spots across formats.
A source told local media: “Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma do not fit into our plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. With more than two years to go and both players nearing 40, we must focus on building the future.”
If the reports are accurate, the Australia series will be the last chapter in an era where Kohli and Rohit dominated ODI cricket, breaking records and delivering countless match-winning performances.
For fans worldwide — including in Pakistan — their retirement would mark the end of an intense rivalry and a storyline that has defined Indo-Pak cricket clashes for more than two decades.
