Anil Kumble says it would be challenging for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to continue playing in ODIs

Former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble believes it would be challenging for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to continue playing in ODIs after the star duo announced their Test retirement. While Rohit announced his Test retirement on May 7, Kohli called it a day in the red-ball version on May 12.

Kumble said the veteran duo would want to play till the 2027 ODI World Cup and their aim would be lift the ODI showpiece trophy. India was dominant right throughout the 2023 ODI World Cup but they could not cross the last hurdle against Australia in the summit clash.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were brilliant in the ODI World Cup 2023. Rohit scored 597 runs in 11 matches of the World Cup 2023 at an average of 54.27 and a blistering strike rate of 125.95. The talisman scored three fifties and one century in the ODI showpiece. 

On the other hand, Virat Kohli finished the tournament as the highest run-getter with 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.32. Ergo, he was awarded Player of the tournament for his consistent performances.

Rohit and Virat had earlier retired from T20Is after leading India to glory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Kumble said as quoted by PTI, “It’s not easy to just do what they need to in terms of preparing for an ODI, which is six months down the line. It’s going to be a challenge, no matter who you are and how well you have had your career over the years. But they are champion players, so they know how to sort of manoeuvre that, and it’s important to celebrate champion players as long as they play.”

“What is important is to celebrate whatever is out there with the two players. Ideally, they would like to play until the 2027 World Cup, because that’s something that did not happen. We saw that 2023 (World Cup) final with Australia holding the trophy.”

Meanwhile, India will travel to Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is in October and Kumble said the Australian crowd would want to see Kohli and Rohit in action.

“The legends who are no longer playing in the other format will certainly want to make a mark, Virat and Rohit, and I’m sure a lot of people would want to watch that in Australia. I feel someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal Sai Sudharsan, I think, will make it to that team although he’s not a part of it. (But) I think he will, based on the performances is going to have in England and he’ll be someone to watch out for.”

Rohit and Kohli are currently playing in the ongoing IPL 2025.