"Hunger, fitness and..."- Ravi Shastri lists out three factors that can decide Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future in the ODIs

Ravi Shastri feels that the ODI series against Australia will be very crucial for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri feels that the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in ODI cricket is uncertain, and a lot of things will be cleared in the upcoming India’s tour of Australia 2025. Shastri also believes that the upcoming ODI series will be very crucial for the duo as it will help them to take a call on their future.

Rohit and Kohli, who were the backbone of the Indian team for more than a decade in all three formats, are now only one-format (ODIs) player for India, having called their retirement from test cricket earlier in May and in T20Is after ICC T20 World Cup 2024 last year in June.

Both former Indian captains last played for the national team during ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in March. Hence, they will return to international cricket after a gap of almost seven months. Notably, their focus will now be on ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be hosted by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, as they have expressed their desire to win the tournament.

Ravi Shastri feels ODI series against Australia is very important for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

While speaking during an event of Kayo Sport’s Summer of Cricket in Sydney, Shastri said that Australia ODI series will be very crucial for both batting legends. He also added that their presence in ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 will depend on their fitness, hunger, and form in the lead-up to the tournament.

“That is why they are here (playing the ODI series against Australia). They are part of the mix. It depends on their fitness, their hunger and, of course, form. So, I think this series is very important to see how they go,” he said.

“They (Rohit and Kohli) themselves will know by the end of this series how they feel and then it is their call. (It’s) The same thing with Steve Smith (who retired from ODIs in March) from Australia’s point of view,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rohit successfully underwent fitness tests at Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru last month. The ODI series against Australia will commence on October 19 with the first game at Perth Cricket Stadium in Perth. The next two games will take place on October 23 and 25. Ahead of the campaign, Rohit was replaced by Shubman Gill as the new captain in ODIs.

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