Former Indian cricket stalwarts Ravi Shastri and Anil Kumble have backed veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they prepare for a crucial ODI series against Australia. The pair are scheduled to fly out on 15 October for the three-match series, which begins in Perth on 19 October, amid ongoing discussions about their long-term future in the 50-over format.
A Decisive Tour
With both players having retired from Test and T20 International cricket, ODIs remain their only active format for India. According to Shastri, their performance in Australia will be a significant indicator of their future. “That’s why they’re here, playing this ODI series against Australia. They’re still in the mix,” Shastri said at a Kayo Sport event. He emphasised that their longevity would depend on their physical condition and drive. “Their fitness, hunger, and form will decide what comes next,” he added. “This series will be crucial, and by the end of it, they’ll have a clearer idea themselves.”
Experience and Expectations
The debate over their future is heightened by their age. By the time the next 50-over World Cup arrives in 2027, Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 38. Rohit was also recently replaced by Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain. Kumble suggested the focus should be on their current contributions. “Let’s just celebrate these two on the field. They’ve contributed immensely to Indian cricket,” he said. “With Rohit no longer captain, he’s free of that responsibility, it’s just about enjoying his batting now.”
Both players were instrumental in India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign in February, where Rohit was named Player of the Match in the final and Kohli was among the tournament’s top five run-scorers.
Emerging Talent
Shastri noted that the pressure on senior players is compounded by India’s growing strength in limited-overs cricket. “India is much stronger in white-ball formats than in Tests right now,” he observed. “Rohit, Kohli, they know young players are coming up fast.” He pointed to Tilak Varma’s impressive innings in the recent Asia Cup final as an example of the emerging talent. With a core of young players including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, alongside all-rounders like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel, India has a robust pipeline of talent.
Shastri drew a parallel with Australian cricketer Steve Smith, who retired from ODIs this year, stating that experience remains invaluable in major tournaments. However, as Kohli and Sharma head to Australia, their performances will be closely watched to see how they fit into the future plans of a rapidly evolving Indian side.
