Will Kohli and Sharma Hang Up Their ODI Jerseys Next?

Indian cricket is still buzzing after the team’s thrilling T20 World Cup victory over South Africa. But amidst the victory celebrations, fans were surprised by the retirement announcements of star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the T20 internationals.

Both veterans decided to step down from the shortest format after India’s World Cup win. This decision wasn’t entirely unexpected the need to groom younger players for the next T20 World Cup. Here’s the good news for fans who can’t imagine cricket without Kohli and Sharma: BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed they’ll remain part of the ODI setup and will likely be included in the Champions Trophy squad next year.

While speaking to the media, Jay Shah said, “The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there.”

Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir applauded their well-timed T20I exit, considering they bowed out on a high note. He expects them to continue their strong performances in Tests and ODIs.

“They have retired with the World Cup win, and probably better than any script that was written. Both players are great. They have done a lot for Indian cricket, and congratulate them and wish them all the best, but they are going to play two more formats – Test cricket and ODI cricket. I am sure they are going to keep contributing to the country and the team,” Gambhir said.

Speaking of changes, the team is undergoing a coaching reshuffle. VVS Laxman will be the stand-in coach for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe while the hunt for a permanent coach is ongoing. A new coach is expected to be appointed before the Sri Lanka series.

With Rohit Sharma stepping down as T20I captain, there’s speculation about who will take the reins next. Hardik Pandya’s name is being strongly considered, especially after his impressive performance in the World Cup.

Jay Shah said, “Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them. You asked about Hardik, there were lot of questions over his form but we and selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself.”

Jay Shah emphasized the importance of experience in major tournaments like the World Cup. He praised the contributions of senior players like Rohit and Virat, highlighting how their expertise played a crucial role in the team’s victory.

Jay Shah said, “It was same captain last year and same here in Barbados. We won all games except the final in 2023 as Australia played better. This time we worked even harder and played better to win the title. f you look at other teams, experience counts. From Rohit to Virat, all excelled. Experience makes a lot of difference; in World Cups you can’t experiment much also.”