The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla dismissed speculation that the upcoming ODI series against Australia would be the last One-Day international appearance of India’s last two iconic batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While speaking to ANI after India registered a Test series victory against West Indies, Shukla said, “As far as this being their last series is concerned, it is nothing like that. We should never get involved in these things. It is up to the players when they will retire. To say this would be their last series is absolutely wrong.”

Rohit and Virat have been selected for the Australia tour with the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in mind. However, the promotion of Shubman Gill to ODI captaincy and the recent performances of new players like Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Tilak Verma in the India-A series against Australia have prompted discussions about the future roles of Rohit and Virat. The emergence of these players raises questions about how team selection dynamics could change as Rohit and Virat, who will be 40 and 39 respectively by the 2027 tournament, approach the later stages of their careers.

Shukla added, “Inclusion of Rohit and Virat in the team is always an advantage as both of them are great batsmen, and in the presence of both of them, I think we will be successful in defeating Australia.”

Rohit is India’s fourth-highest ODI run-scorer, with over 11,000 runs, an average of nearly 49, and 32 centuries. In eight ODIs this year, he has one century and one fifty.

Virat ranks second for India in ODI runs, with over 14,000 runs, averaging nearly 58, and 51 centuries. This year, he has scored one century and two fifties in seven ODIs.

Both will be in action during the ODIs in Australia, starting from 19th October, having retired from Tests and T20Is and now being exclusively ODI players.