Time to move on from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODIs? Former selector gives a bold suggestion

The Men in Blue have the Asia Cup 2025 and a home Test series against West Indies lined up ahead. However, the discussion has reached the ODIs directly after the conclusion of the India vs England Test series. The abrupt Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma led to the fans awaiting the next ODI schedule of India. After their exits from T20Is in 2024 and Tests earlier in May this year, the senior stalwarts remain active in ODIs only. However, as Indian cricket fans look out for the duo's next appearance on the field, worrying updates keep cropping up from the BCCI corridors. Adding to the debate, former BCCI selector Devang Gandhi recently opined that the seniors should make way for youngsters to enter the Indian ODI set-up.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's ODI future in jeopardy 

As the Test side wrapped up the India vs England series, the focus shifted to shorter formats. However, before Asia Cup 2025, lined up next in the India cricket schedule, could take center stage, updates emerged from the ODI format. The India vs Sri Lanka white-ball series, proposed to be held in the August window, was rejected as the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli was pushed back. Meanwhile, new reports further suggested that the BCCI is not looking at the seniors as certain prospects for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.

Both Kohli and Rohit, who is the current ODI captain of India, will be pushing 40 by the 2027 ODI World Cup. Moreover, the Men in Blue have a sporadic schedule in the format leading up to the marquee event in South Africa. With growing age and gradually diminishing game time, Kohli and Rohit reportedly do not fit into the BCCI's strategy for the ODI World Cup. Moreover, further updates added that the Indian cricket board is set to impose stern conditions for the seniors' extended role in the format.

India's next ODI series is slated for October later this year, on the Australia Tour. Meanwhile, reports implied that the Australia series could mark the last of Virat Kohli and Rohit in the format. The BCCI is on its way to asking the seniors to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy. If Rohit and Kohli want to remain a part of the Indian setup beyond the Australia series, the captain and the former skipper will be required to amp up their game time in Indian domestic List A cricket.

Former selector Devang Gandhi suggests BCCI phase out Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup

While all these claims remain unverified, former BCCI selector Devang Gandhi has come up with bold advice for the board. Gandhi has opined that the senior duo of Kohli and Rohit should be phased out ahead of the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. The exits of the veterans will allow youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan to get a spot in India's ODI squad.

India recently concluded a fairly impressive run in the Test series against England. The relatively raw team, led by the young Shubman Gill on his debut series as India's Test captain, was anticipated to struggle without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in England. However, the group threatened Bazball exceptionally, managing to draw the five-match Test series 2-2. The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy witnessed the brilliance of Indian young guns, with Gill leading the team from the front with his record-breaking 754-run stand across the five fixtures.

Keeping India's performance in England in mind, Devang Gandhi drew parallels to explain his view in detail. The former selector explained that transitioning from T20Is to Tests is a remarkable challenge. However, when a player aces that transition, adapting to ODIs is comparatively easy. Gandhi questioned why the likes of Sudharsan, Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant should sit out of the ODIs when they have already displayed their ability to adapt to different formats.

"How will you make players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Rishabh Pant, among others, sit out when they have shown how well they can adapt? The bigger transition is from T20s to Tests. Once a player has done well in Test cricket and has the power game, ODIs should come easier to them. It is very important that the selectors and the team management sit together and take a call," Gandhi said.

The former selector, furthermore, outlined a precarious situation for BCCI if the board delays a call on the seniors. Gandhi explained that if either Rohit or Kohli, or both the veterans, experience a lean patch within a year's time, it would be late to call a replacement with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind. Meanwhile, amid all the updates, the latest reports have suggested that BCCI has not discussed the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit at all. The board, instead, is focused on the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and will come to the ODIs only after the completion of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.

"If, say, in a year's time, we come to a situation where one of them is not firing and we need a replacement, the team management may not have enough time to prepare a player for the job. There's absolutely no doubt about the contribution of Rohit and Virat. But time doesn't wait for anybody," Gandhi opined.