Futures of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma hinge on the India vs Australia ODI series, opines Ravi Shastri
As the time draws closer for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to make their much-awaited return to action, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has set the task for them. The three-match India vs Australia ODI series will mark the comeback of Ro-Ko for India after more than six months. However, the excitement surrounding their return is clouded by uncertainty regarding their future beyond the Australia tour. As the debate intensifies over the spots of Rohit and Kohli for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, Shastri has placed the onus on their performance in the upcoming series against Australia.
"They will know by the end of India vs Australia ODI series": Ravi Shastri talks about the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Ravi Shastri has delivered a definitive statement on the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The former India coach has noted that the upcoming India vs Australia ODI series will provide clarity on the next steps for the veteran duo. The topic of Kohli and Rohit's future has been under constant discussion since their announcement of retirement from Test cricket in May. Neither Rohit nor Kohli has participated in professional cricket since June, and speculation regarding their inclusion in India’s 2027 ICC ODI World Cup squad has been rife.
BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar stirred debate during the announcement of the India squad for Australia Tour, remarking that both players remain non-committal, with any final decision set to be taken in due course. Meanwhile, Rohit was replaced by Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain ahead of the Australia tour. The move indicated that the BCCI is officially stepping into the transition phase for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, raising further doubts over the future of the senior players.
Shastri’s comments align with this perspective. By the time the ODI World Cup arrives, Rohit will be 40 and a half, while Kohli will celebrate his 39th birthday during the tournament. Yet, the more pressing challenge for the duo remains the absence of match practice. When Steve Smith retired from ODIs following Australia’s Champions Trophy semi-final loss to India, it caught many by surprise, but Shastri understands the reasoning behind such decisions and believes similar considerations apply to Kohli and Rohit.
"That's why they're here, playing the ODI series against Australia. They're part of the mix. It depends on their fitness, their hunger and, of course, form. They themselves will know by the end of this series how they feel, and then it's their call. (It's) the same thing with Steve Smith (who retired from ODIs in March) from Australia's point of view. At that age, you've got to enjoy it and still got to have the hunger. But there's no substitute for experience when it comes to the big games, as we saw in the Champions Trophy. Come the big games and the big boys step up," Shastri said.
India is currently navigating a transitional period, with young talents stepping up and delivering results, as witnessed during the India vs England Test series and the recent victory in the Asia Cup 2025. Shastri, in his take of the current scenario, pointed out that the performance of emerging players such as Tilak Varma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Abhishek Sharma will act as added motivation for the veterans.
Tilak Varma came up with an impressive half-century under pressure in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final. Abhishek Sharma emerged as the highest run-scorer of the tournament. Highlighting the character and ability of the upcoming crop, Shastri opined that with these youngsters pushing for ODI opportunities, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be compelled to deliver or risk being left behind.
"Varma's innings in that Asia Cup final was absolutely fantastic. Because under pressure to play like that was impressive. There's some good young guns there in Jaiswal, there's Gill, there's Tilak Varma. A lot of good young talent and lot of allrounders as well in Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel, so it's a strong white-ball unit. India is much stronger in white ball than red ball. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, they know that these youngsters are pushing them," Shastri remarked.
