Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli ‘looked rusty’: BCCI, Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar to finalise Ro-Ko’s future in ODI cricket

By Admin

01 Dec, 2025

As Team India wraps up its final ODI series of the year, a crucial discussion awaits behind closed doors. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing for an important meeting that will determine the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the 50-over format two pillars of India’s batting for more than a decade. With the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle beginning, clarity on their roles has become a top priority.

Key officials to meet after the 3rd ODI
Senior BCCI officials, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are set to meet in Ahmedabad after the 3rd ODI against South Africa on 6 December. According to a TOI report, this meeting aims to discuss Rohit and Kohli’s long-term contribution, assess their rhythm after long breaks, and outline expectations clearly for both veterans.

So far, there has been no in-depth conversation between the management and the two senior players regarding their place in the next World Cup cycle. The board has also started evaluating backup options in case either of them is unavailable later.

Strong performance, but concerns persist
In the 1st ODI against South Africa, Rohit and Kohli reminded everyone of their class with a 100-run stand. Both scored half-centuries, and Rohit even surpassed Shahid Afridi to become the player with the most sixes in ODI history. India cruised to 161/1 in just 21 overs.

However, concerns remain. Officials believe that the duo looked “rusty” during the first two ODIs in Australia earlier this year, despite both scoring runs in the 3rd match.
“They did score runs in the 3rd ODI in Australia. But the series was already lost and the match was set up by the bowlers. They looked rusty in the first two matches. One can’t afford that in every series,” a BCCI insider said.

The board wants to ensure that long breaks now more common since the two mostly play one format don’t disrupt their rhythm.

Rohit advised to maintain aggressive approach
The management expects Rohit Sharma to continue playing his fearless brand of cricket at the top. While Australia’s playing conditions were challenging, officials felt he played within himself at times.
“It is expected that he continues to lead by example as a fearless batter at the top of the order… it did look like he was avoiding taking risks,” the insider added.

Both Rohit and Kohli are expected to guide India’s next generation of batters and anchor the batting unit with consistent intent and leadership.

Limited match time a major concern
Another issue raised is the limited game time the duo gets outside international cricket. The board believes that playing county cricket in England would have helped them regain rhythm more quickly.

To address this, the BCCI may request both players to participate in next month’s Vijay Hazare Trophy to get more overs under their belts.

• Rohit Sharma (Mumbai – Elite Group C): Matches in Jaipur; first match vs Sikkim on 24 December
• Virat Kohli (Delhi – Elite Group D): Matches in Bengaluru; first match vs Andhra on 24 December

Each team will play six additional games, ending on 8 January.

India’s upcoming ODI schedule
India’s next ODI action will be a 3-match home series against New Zealand in January:
• 1st ODI – 11 January, Vadodara
• 2nd ODI – 14 January, Rajkot
• 3rd ODI – 18 January, Indore
(All matches begin at 1:30 PM IST)

After this, India will have a long break from the 50-over format until July, when they tour England for another 3-match series:
• 1st ODI – 14 July, Birmingham
• 2nd ODI – 16 July, Cardiff
• 3rd ODI – 19 July, Lord’s

Clarity the need of the hour
A BCCI official summed it up perfectly: “It is very important that players of Rohit and Kohli’s stature are given clarity about what is expected of them… They can’t be playing with uncertainty.”

dAs India plans for the 2027 World Cup, the roles of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli icons who have carried the batting lineup for years must be clearly defined. The upcoming meeting in Ahmedabad could very well shape the next phase of Indian ODI cricket.