Have Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Already Played Their Last Match for India?

Indian cricket is living a dream. The Men in Blue have been on a roll, first ending a decade-long wait for an ICC trophy with the T20 World Cup in 2024, then doubling down with a triumphant 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. It’s a golden moment, one where youthful energy meets seasoned brilliance. At the heart of it all are two names etched into Indian cricket history, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. These two have been more than just batters as they have been the team’s soul, its fire, and its backbone for over a decade. Every time they walk to the crease, there’s a buzz, a sense that something unforgettable might unfold.

But cricket, for all its romance, is a game of change. Rohit and Kohli stepped away from T20 Internationals earlier this year, and Kohli called time on his Test career too. Now, ODIs are the only format where they still don the blue jersey. Whispers are growing louder that the upcoming ODI series against Australia in October 2025 could be their final bow in the 50-over game. If that’s true, it’s hard to imagine an Indian ODI team without them. For fans, it’s like picturing a sky without stars. Replacing their skill, aura, and sheer presence is a challenge that feels almost insurmountable.

🚨 𝑹𝑬𝑷𝑶𝑹𝑻𝑺 🚨

Team management reportedly not considering Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the 2027 World Cup. 👀

The Australia series may be their final ODI chapter unless they play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to earn a place. 🏏#ViratKohli #RohitSharma #ODIs… pic.twitter.com/bWwn3etlDT

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 10, 2025

Former national selector Devang Gandhi stirred the pot recently, saying it’s time to look beyond Rohit and Kohli in ODIs. It’s a bold stance, one that might make fans wince, but Gandhi’s reasoning comes from a place of foresight. With the 2027 ODI World Cup looming, he believes India needs to start building now, not later. Waiting until the last minute, he warns, could leave the team in a scramble.

How will you make players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, 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. 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.

He points out that players who crack Test cricket’s tough code often find ODIs easier to navigate. The real hurdle, he says, is transitioning from T20s to Tests. Once that’s done, the 50-over format should feel like a natural fit. Gandhi urged the selectors and team management to sit down and map out a plan now, before time runs out. He’s also thinking about what could go wrong. If Rohit or Kohli hit a rough patch a year from now, India might be left rushing to blood new players before the World Cup. That’s a recipe for chaos. Gandhi’s not saying it’s easy to move on from two of India’s greatest-ever ODI players, but cricket doesn’t wait for anyone. So, the million-dollar question is based on their recent form: Do Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still deserve their spots in India’s ODI XI as the team eyes 2027?

Virat Kohli: The Master of ODIs

Virat Kohli is a name that defines ODI cricket. For over a decade, he’s been the gold standard while chasing runs, building innings, and turning games with his sheer will. Even after stepping away from T20Is and Tests, his love for ODIs burns bright, and his numbers over the past two years are nothing short of extraordinary.

From 2023 to 2025, Kohli played 37 ODIs, batting in 34 innings and staying unbeaten six times. He piled up 1,710 runs at an jaw-dropping average of 61.07, with a strike rate of 95.85. His best knock was an unbeaten 166, one of seven centuries in this period. Add 10 fifties to that, with just one duck, and you’ve got a batter who’s almost impossible to stop. His 153 fours and 25 sixes show how he blends textbook shots with the power game modern ODIs demand.

The 2023 ODI World Cup was Kohli at his absolute peak. In 11 matches, he smashed a record-breaking 765 runs at an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31. Three centuries, six fifties, and a top score of 117, as his numbers read like a dream. Facing 847 balls, he controlled games with surgical precision, picking up 68 fours and 9 sixes. He was the rock India built their campaign on, guiding them to the final with performances that mixed grit and grace. Fans still talk about how he owned that tournament.

Star Sports called 2023 the year of KING Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/s1INIABfv1

— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) December 21, 2023

In the 2025 Champions Trophy, Kohli played a different role, anchoring innings with a calmer approach. Across five matches, he scored 218 runs at an average of 54.50 and a strike rate of 82.88. His unbeaten 100 was a masterclass in pacing an innings, and he added a fifty for good measure. Interestingly, he didn’t hit a single six, relying instead on his trademark precision and quick running. It’s this ability to adapt, going from aggressor to anchor, that makes Kohli so special.

Rohit Sharma: The Firestarter

If Kohli’s the architect, Rohit Sharma is the wrecking ball. As India’s captain and opener, he’s been setting games alight with his fearless batting. His ability to take down bowlers in the powerplay has given India the kind of starts most teams can only dream of. His numbers since 2023 are proof of his dominance.

In 38 ODIs, Rohit batted in 37 innings, staying unbeaten twice. He scored 1,714 runs at an average of 48.97 and a scorching strike rate of 117.23. Three centuries, twelve fifties, and a top score of 131 tell the story of a batter who loves the big stage. His 182 fours and 88 sixes are a testament to his attacking mindset, especially in the first 10 overs.

The 2023 World Cup was Rohit’s tournament as a leader and batter. He smashed 597 runs in 11 matches at an average of 54.27 and a strike rate of 125.94. His 131 was a statement, but his three fifties were just as crucial, giving India flying starts. With 66 fours and 31 sixes, he was a one-man demolition crew. Beyond the runs, his captaincy was electric, smart field settings, bold bowling changes, and a vibe that kept the team buzzing.

Man was batting like he was on some drug. Presenting you Rohit Sharma's all sixes in CWC 2023. pic.twitter.com/3NfYc2YgoE

— ` (@45Fan_Prathmesh) July 9, 2025

In the 2025 Champions Trophy, Rohit took a slightly more measured approach but still made his mark. In five matches, he scored 180 runs at an average of 36.00 and a strike rate of 100. His 76 was a gem, setting up a key win, and his 21 fours and six sixes showed he’s still a force. Rohit’s not just about runs as he’s about momentum, leadership, and big moments.

Do They Stay or Go?

The stats don’t lie as both Rohit and Kohli are still among the world’s best ODI players. Kohli’s consistency and ability to win games under pressure make him a must-have. Rohit’s explosive starts and captaincy add a spark that’s hard to replace. Their performances in the 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy show they’re still at the top of their game, delivering when it matters most. But Gandhi’s point hits home too as Jaiswal, Pant, Sudharsan, and others are ready to shine, and giving them time now could set India up for 2027.

Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli In ODI Cricket Since 2023 pic.twitter.com/ksT1Mua4kS

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) August 10, 2025

It’s a tough call to keep two legends who are still performing or start building the future. A middle ground might be the answer, like letting Rohit and Kohli play on for another year or so, mentoring the youngsters while phasing them in. That way, India keeps its edge while preparing for life after the icons. The Australia series in October 2025 could be the final chapter for Rohit and Kohli in ODIs. If it is, fans will say goodbye to two players who have defined Indian cricket for a generation. Whatever happens next, their legacy will light the way for the new stars ready to take Indian cricket forward.