Post-retirement plans confirmed for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma? Check details
Star Indian batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have reportedly been approached by Abhishek Bachchan, who is a co-owner of the emerging European T20 Premier League, with an offer to be associated with the tournament. The development comes at a stage when both Kohli and Rohit are active exclusively in One-Day Internationals, having stepped away from T20 Internationals and Test cricket. Their reduced international commitments have naturally sparked interest from various global leagues looking to enhance their profile and appeal. Speaking about the vision behind the European T20 Premier League, Bachchan highlighted the significance of having marquee Indian players linked with the competition.
Abhishek Bachchan comes up with retirement plan for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
Abhishek Bachchan emphasized that cricketers of Kohli and Rohit’s stature bring not only immense on-field value but also global recognition, credibility, and commercial strength to any league. According to him, the presence of such iconic names can accelerate the growth of a new tournament by attracting sponsors, broadcasters, and fans from around the world. Bachchan’s proposition to the two Indian greats reflects the league’s ambition to establish itself as a serious player in the global T20 ecosystem. While no confirmation has been made regarding Kohli or Rohit’s response, the offer underlines the growing influence of Indian cricketers in shaping the future of franchise-based leagues beyond traditional cricketing nations.
"Please tell Virat and Rohit that when they retire, they could come and play in the ETPL before any other league,” stated Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan.
Turning attention to the European T20 Premier League, the inaugural edition of the tournament is scheduled to take place in August later this year. The league is set to mark a significant step in expanding top-level franchise cricket across Europe, with an initial lineup of teams representing major cities. So far, three franchises from Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Belfast have been officially confirmed, providing a strong geographical spread across the region.
In addition to these teams, three more franchises are expected to join the competition once the ownership process is completed, bringing the total number of teams to six. The tournament will be jointly organized by Cricket Scotland, Cricket Ireland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association, highlighting a collaborative effort among Europe’s leading cricket boards to elevate the sport’s profile on the continent. With established administrative backing and growing investor interest, the ETPL aims to deliver a competitive and professionally run league that can attract international attention and contribute to the development of cricket in emerging European markets.
By the time the 2027 ODI World Cup concludes, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be 40 and 41 years old respectively. While the tournament is still some distance away, both batters have made it clear that they remain keen on representing India at another global event. Selection, however, is far from guaranteed, with form, fitness, and team balance all expected to play a decisive role closer to the tournament. That said, it is widely believed that the BCCI would be inclined to retain two of its most experienced campaigners, given their proven ability to perform on the biggest stages.
So far, Kohli and Rohit’s exposure to overseas franchise cricket has been limited to the Indian Premier League and the now-defunct Champions League T20. This restriction stems from a long-standing BCCI regulation which prevents centrally contracted players who have not officially retired from all formats from participating in foreign leagues. As a result, Indian cricketers have traditionally had minimal involvement in overseas competitions, a policy that continues to shape their career options outside international and domestic cricket.
