"I don't know why they have left Tests and are playing ODIs" - Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's ODI future

Regarding senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's decision to continue playing ODI cricket for India, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has posed some challenging concerns. It was believed that Rohit and Kohli would continue to play for India in Test matches and One-Day Internationals after they retired from T20 Internationals last year.

However, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from Test cricket in May of this year following a few difficult months against Australia and New Zealand, during which they both struggled with form.

“Both of them can push it till the World Cup. Since the 2027 World Cup is in South Africa, experience and skills will be needed. Again, that’s also a bridge too far, but both have realistic chances till the 2027 World Cup. However, they are playing less cricket, and I don’t like that,” Chopra said.

Chopra also expressed worry about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's decreased playing time in international cricket, given that they are only participating in One-Day Internationals. According to him, participating in Test cricket keeps players in the running for selection and keeps them playing competitive cricket for longer.

“I feel they should have been playing more cricket. They would have played a lot of cricket had they kept playing tests. I don't know why they have left Tests and are playing ODIs and have left T20Is too. Two months of IPL and then 10 matches in 10 months. Personally, I don't understand this,” he remarked.

The two will now play their first international encounter since Team India's victory in the Champions Trophy 2025 under Rohit Sharma in the forthcoming ODI series against Australia, which is scheduled to begin in October.

The cricketer-turned-commentator thinks that Rohit and Kohli's spots in the team are not assured because the 2027 ODI World Cup is still a long way off. But he emphasised that, contrary to what some publications have claimed, their selection shouldn't be based on how well they play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

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