Image: BCCI has confirmed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play in the upcoming ODI series / © Mint
After being defeated in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, India’s star players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, will feature in the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, despite previous suggestions that they might be rested for workload management. This series is critical as it is the last opportunity for both batters to regain form ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The first match is scheduled for February 6, 2025, in Nagpur, with the subsequent matches in Cuttack and Ahmedabad on February 9 and 12, respectively.
Both players have struggled recently, particularly in the Australian series where Kohli showed a brief spark with a century in the first game but failed to make an impact afterward. Sharma, on the other hand, had a dismal run, including a decision to drop himself from the final match of the series. These performances have raised questions about their future, with some speculating about their retirement.
This ODI series, therefore, holds significant importance for Rohit and Kohli, as they aim to silence critics and secure their spots for the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The series could shape their future in international cricket.