"They should continue"-Sourav Ganguly orders BCCI to not force Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to retire

Sourav Ganguly said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have phenomenal records in ODI cricket.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has reacted to rumours of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli‘s retirement from ODI cricket. Some reports in the media have claimed that Indian Cricket Team‘s ODI series against Australia in October can be the last campaign of both batting legends in 50-over cricket.

Notably, Sharma and Kohli are only active in ODI cricket. They announced their retirement from T20I cricket last year after winning ICC T20 World Cup 2024. In May 2025, the duo pulled the curtains down on their test careers ahead of India’s tour of England 2025.

Sharma is the current ODI captain of India is expected to lead the side against Australia in October. India will clash with Australia in three ODIs from October 19 to 25. India’s last ODI campaign was ICC Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year, where they won the title by defeating New Zealand in the final.

Not aware of this – Sourav Ganguly on Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli retirement rumours

While speaking to PTI during an event, Ganguly said that he was unaware of any reports regarding Sharma and Kohli’s retirement from ODIs. The former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also noted that both of them have phenomenal records in ODIs.

“I’m not aware of this, can’t comment on this,” he said when asked about Sharma and Kohli’s ODI retirement rumours.

“It’s difficult to say. Whoever does well will play. If they do well, they should continue. Kohli’s one-day record is phenomenal, even Rohit Sharma’s. Both of them are phenomenal in white-ball cricket,” he further said.

Meanwhile, India will not play any international cricket matches in August. Their next international cricket campaign will be Asia Cup 2025, which will commence on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ganguly feels that India are the favourites to win the tournament.

“India are very strong, and if they are strong in red-ball cricket, they are even stronger in white-ball cricket. So, in my opinion, India are favourites, and beating them on those good Dubai wickets will be very tough,” the Indian batting legend said.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side in Asia Cup 2025. The right-handed batsman underwent a sports hernia surgery in June and is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Bengaluru at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE). A few days ago, Yadav began his batting practice in the nets.

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