• Source:JND
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Although the transition in the Indian Test side is still being praised for the way they performed during the recent Test series against England, the Indian team management has already begun preparing for the next ODI World Cup cycle. And this might also decide the future of two legendary cricketers- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Both these players have announced their retirement from the longest format and T20Is, and the notion is that they will feature during the 2027 ODI World Cup. But considering their age, motivation, and lack of match practice, it would be important for the team management to decide whether they would allow them to continue playing in ODIs.

As per PTI, since there are two years left for the next ODI World Cup to be held in Africa, the BCCI plans to give chances to the youngsters as they want to build a team that will help them lift the elusive title for the first time ever after 2011.

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Rohit, who is currently 38 years old, and Kohli, who is 36. Both these players would be next seen in action for a three-match ODI series against Australia, which would be held later this year, and then a home series against South Africa.

In 2026, they would be playing six ODI matches between January and July. Is this enough for them to be motivated and stay fit for the World Cup?

“Yes, it will be discussed soon. We still have more than two years for the next World Cup (November 2027). Both Kohli and Rohit will be pushing 40 by then, so there has to be a clear plan ahead for the big event, as our last win was in 2011. We also need to try out a few youngsters in time," a BCCI source told PTI.

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Kohli, Rohit Won’t Be Forced Out

The team management doesn't want to force them to retire from this format. They announced their retirement from the shortest format on a good note as they helped the team lift the 2024 T20 World Cup. But from the longest format, they retired quietly.

“Look, both Kohli and Rohit have made huge contributions to white ball cricket for the team and the sport in general. They have achieved almost everything. So, I don’t think anybody’s going to force their hand, but there will be some honest and professional conversations before the next ODI cycle starts to see where they stand mentally and physically. It depends on that," the source concluded.

Lack of Match Time

Both Kohli and Rohit last played in this format during the 2025 Champions Trophy summit clash earlier this year. After that, they participated in IPL 2025. And now they play in just ODIs, and that means that they will get less game time.

Does that mean that Rohit and Kohli might feature in domestic cricket? According to the BCCI rules, a contracted player should participate in domestic cricket if he is not playing in international cricket.

It should be noted here that domestic white-ball tournaments would begin in November this year, which would include the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.