The future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has become the biggest topic of discussion among the cricket fraternity after the recent three-match ODI series against England.
There was a lot of talk about Rohit’s retirement, but it did not happen and now former Indian selector Jatin Paranjape has shared a completely different opinion on the future of the senior star.
Paranjape believes that the BCCI should not think about replacing Rohit and Kohli before the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. He wants the BCCI to formulate a proper plan to keep both the players fit, fresh and ready for the final World Cup. Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif shut down retirement talks after his Lord’s century.
Jatin Paranjpe warns BCCI on future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Jatin Paranjpe has warned the BCCI selectors and team management that if they are serious about solving the ODI trophy problem then they need to look no further than Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
The former selector has emphasized that if Rohit and Kohli are there, India’s chances in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup will be much stronger. Meanwhile, MCC made new rule changes in Test cricket; BCCI accepts this.
Jatin Paranjape posted,
India need to have a workload management plan for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the next 18 months, as they do for Jasprit Bumrah. You can’t go to the World Cup without Roco, and the reason is simple, he is your three best players along with Gil.
– Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) July 20, 2026
Former selector urges BCCI to manage Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli like Jasprit Bumrah
Even the former Indian spinner has suggested that BCCI should manage the workload of Rohit and Kohli in the same way it manages Jasprit Bumrah. Although he admitted that both Kohli and Rohit only play the ODI format now, he still believes that both the batsmen should be given a proper schedule so that they stay healthy and avoid unnecessary workload in the next 18 months.
However, the former cricketer also clarified that workload management does not mean keeping him away from the game; Instead, he wants the BCCI to carefully plan its preparation for domestic cricket and practice camps at the Center of Excellence, apart from the ODI matches.
“Agreed, but my intention was that the 18 months need to be managed well, and that means domestic cricket, practice squads, CoE participation and actual ODI cricket need to be well studied and aligned,” Paranjape said in another post.
Agree but my intention was that the 18 months need to be managed well, and that means domestic cricket, practice groups, CoE participation and actual ODI cricket needs to be well studied and aligned.
– Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) July 20, 2026
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli create ODI history despite India’s heart-breaking defeat at Lord’s
Meanwhile, India face England in the third and final ODI at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on July 19. England batted first and posted a mammoth score of 387/3 in 50 overs, leaving India with a challenging target of 388 runs.
In reply, Rohit Sharma played a brilliant innings and reminded everyone why he is one of India’s greatest ODI batsmen. The experienced opening batsman scored 138 runs in just 110 balls. His brilliant innings came at a time when there was a lot of talk about his retirement and he answered all the criticism with his bat.
Virat Kohli also played a brilliant inning of 74 runs and made a brilliant partnership of 113 runs with Rohit for the second wicket to keep India within the target at Lord’s. The stand helped this legendary pair to create history.
Rohit and Kohli completed their 21st century partnership in ODIs and went past Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had more than 20 century partnerships together.