Former Indian opener and selector Deong Gandhi has opened the ODI of veteran batsman Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Gandhi said that it is gradually time to phase to provide opportunities to young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Sai Sudarshan.
India will play their next one-day series against Australia from 19 to 25 October, after the postponement of Bangladesh White-Ball series to 2026. The next ODI World Cup is scheduled for October-November 2027, and Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be at the age of 39 and 40 respectively.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can expand ODI career through Vijay Hazare Trophy
According to a report by Dainik Jagran, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will need to participate in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy to prolong their ODI career. The upcoming ODI series in Australia may have their final presence for India in the 50 -over format.
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Both players have already retired from Test and T20I. However, no official decision has been taken yet, as the BCCI is giving priority to the 2026 T20 World Cup conclusion before addressing Virat Kohli and Rohit’s futures.
The batting pair last played an international match during the 2025 Champions Trophy, where India won the title against New Zealand. Kohli scored a century in the league stage match against Pakistan, while Rohit earned the ‘Player of the Match’ award in the final clash.
How will you develop players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant – Devang Gandhi
Devang Gandhi said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should make way for young players like Yashsvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Sai Sudarshan to promise. Gandhi said that the selectors and management should take a clear decision for the future of the team.
“How will you make players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudarshan among others, when they showed how well they can adapt?“Gandhi told the Times of India,
He said, “The big transition is from T20 to testing. Once a player has done well in Test cricket and power game, ODI should be easy for them. It is very important that the selectors and team management sit together and take a call,” he said.
Team management may not have enough time – Devang Gandhi
Devang Gandhi said that India gave an impressive performance in England after Kohli and Rohit’s retirement from Test cricket. There were concerns about the team, but the side-headed side of Shubman Gill worked hard to secure the 2-2 series draw.
Gandhi said that there is a strong pool of ODI players waiting in wings in India. He warned that the current team and its future could face challenges without proper development.
“If, in a year’s time, we come in 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 a job. There is absolutely no doubt about Rohit and Virat’s contribution. But the time does not wait for anyone,” Gandhi said.
The three -match ODI series will begin on October 19, with sports in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. In particular, the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy is to be played in December and January. He will also present ODI against South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan.
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