Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI future to be decided after Asia Cup 2025?

BCCI to take call on Rohit and Virat ODI future

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to sit with the two batters to discuss their future in ODI cricket. There is no doubt over the fact that, in spite of playing all three formats, it is One-Day cricket where the two right-handers shine the brightest. 

After weeks of speculation that Rohit would be replaced by Shubman Gill as the captain of the ODI team, the latest developments suggest that Shreyas Iyer will be the one leading in the ODIs once Rohit bids farewell. 

Shreyas Iyer was recently among the headlines as he was snubbed from India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025. It was believed that the right-hander would easily make it into the squad for the continental tournament. However, when his name was not announced, even in the reserve player list, controversies started to flare up. 

The discussion between the two batters and the BCCI is set to take place once the Asia Cup 2025 concludes. According to some sources, it is reported that the final call on their future will be taken by the two batters. 

What’s at stake?

Virat has a couple of records in his sights that he could achieve if he goes on to play the format for a while. The right-handed batter, having crossed the 14,000 run mark recently, is less than 4,300 runs away from overtaking Sachin Tendulkar for scoring the most runs in the format. 

Kohli is currently sitting at 82 international centuries, needing 18 more to match the tally of Sachin Tendulkar. Matching this feat or breaking the record will be extremely difficult for the right-handed batter, given that he has only One-Day cricket left to play. 

Rohit and Virat’s performance in ODIs

Both Rohit and Virat have shown in the past that they are quite dominating in the format and could prove to be irreplaceable. While Kohli holds the record for hitting the most centuries in the format, Rohit has three double-centuries, including the highest individual score. 

Having played for close to two decades for the Men in Blue, both the batters hold unmatchable experience. However, the fact that Rohit has already turned 38, while Kohli will be 37 in November this year, has been putting doubts in the BCCI’s mind. Unlike the other two formats, where the batting talent at least has been in abundance, there is no ready replacement for the two batters in ODIs. 

The lack of matches in the format has meant that the younger generation of players is not getting ample chances to showcase their talent. Among the players who are not currently part of the ODI setup, Yashasvi Jaiswal seems the obvious replacement for Rohit the batter at the top of the order. However, there isn’t any ready replacement for Kohli. Given his performances in the format over the years, it will be pretty big shoes to fill for anyone who comes to the team. 

The experience the two players carry could go a long way in making sure that the next captain, be it Shreyas Iyer or Shubman Gill, could have a couple of senior pros with him while making tough decisions on the field. Even with Gill’s captaincy debut in test cricket in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, it was evident that the young batter would often take advice from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, both having more experience than Gill in the longest format.