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With Team India’s ODI skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli’s future being the key talking point, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla recently dropped a big statement around the same. It is to be noted that the two veteran batters put down curtains on T20Is after India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 in June in Barbados. However, months later in May 2025, the duo announced retirement from Test cricket.
However, they continue to be active in ODI cricket, they haven’t played any competitive cricket since the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. While the two veterans were scheduled to return to action in the Bangladesh white-ball series in August, but the tour was postponed to 2026 due to political situation in the neighbouring nation, delaying their return to October.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli both will still play ODIs: Rajeev Shukla
While speculations have hit the roof of Rohit-Virat likely to announce retirement following the Australia ODI series, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla recently opened up on the same. When asked around the same, Shukla replied, "When did they retire? Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli both will still play ODIs, so if they are still playing, then why talk about farewell now? Why are you people worrying already?"
The BCCI VP also clarified that the BCCI never tells any player to retire and it is up to them to make the call. "Our policy is very clear – BCCI never tells any player to retire. He has to take his own decision. He himself has to take this call," he added. The 65-year-old further went on to hail Virat Kohli’s fitness and Rohit Sharma’s brilliant ODI career.
“When that bridge comes, we will tell you how to cross it. You people are already talking about farewells. Kohli is very fit, he is going on. Rohit Sharma is playing very well. And you people are already worried about farewell,” said Shukla. The duo will take the field in the ODI series against Australia, set to be played from October 19 to 25.
