Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to play ODI cricket? BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla shares massive update

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from tests in May 2025.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla shared his take on the availability of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODIs. He said that the duo’s absence is felt in the other two formats, but they are happy that they will play the 50-over format. 

The ongoing test series between the England Cricket Team and the Indian Cricket Team marks the first instance in a long time when neither Rohit Sharma nor Virat Kohli is playing in the tests. This is because both the batters announced their retirement from the longest format of the game just ahead of the series. 

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from the T20Is last year after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, were having a tough time in the tests. Still, it was expected that they would be on the flight to England, as both had expressed their desire to play in the series. 

However, in a significant shock, both players announced their retirements within ten days in May. However, they made it quite clear that they will be there in the ODIs, expressing their desire to play the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

It is good for us that both will be available for the ODIs – Rajeev Shukla on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Rajeev Shukla shared his take on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s absence, saying they will always consider them great batters. He also cleared all the speculations, saying that it was their personal decision to retire. He also added that both will continue to play in ODIs. Speaking to ANI, he said: 

“We are all feeling the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The decision to retire made by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli was their own. It is the policy of BCCI that we never tell any player to retire…We will always consider them as great batsmen. It is good for us that both will be available for the ODIs.” 

Notably, some reports claimed that the ODI series against Australia might be the last for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The duo are likely to be seen in action next month as India is expected to play a white-ball series against Sri Lanka, as per many reports.

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