"Our policy is very clear..." BCCI vice-president breaks silence on rumours of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ODI retirement

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play in the ODI series against Australia in October.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla has rubbished rumours regarding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement from ODI cricket. He said that there is no need to talk about their farewell as both are still fit and playing well.

Virat and Rohit are only active in ODI cricket now after retiring from test cricket earlier this year. They had already called time on their T20I careers after winning the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2024. With them being active only in ODIs, the wait among the fans is to see them in action.

They will be next seen in the ODI series against Australia in October. But, there have been some reports suggesting that Rohit and Kohli might announce their retirement from ODIs after the Australia series. Some reports also claimed that Shubman Gill or Shreyas Iyer might replace Rohit as the ODI captain. This comes after both expressed their desire to play the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla rubbishes Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma’s retirement rumours

In an interview with UP T20 League, the BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla was asked by hosts if Kohli and Rohit would get a similar farewell to Sachin Tendulkar. However, Shukla noted that Rohit and Virat are still playing and fans should not worry about their retirements now.

“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? 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 said.

“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,” he added.

Rohit and Kohli were last seen in action during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Rohit finished as the second-highest run-scorer for Mumbai Indians (MI), while Kohli finished as the leading run-getter for the eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Meanwhile, Rohit will lead India in the ODI series against Australia, scheduled to take place from October 19 to 25. India will Australia for three ODIs and as many T20Is following a two-match home test series against the West Indies.

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