Aakash Chopra opens up on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI future post Champions Trophy

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised questions about the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in One Day Internationals (ODIs) after the 2025 Champions Trophy. He speculated that if the duo steps away from the limited-overs format, they would be left with only Test cricket at the international level.

India is set to face New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday, March 9. In the semi-final against Australia, played at the same venue on Tuesday, March 4, Rohit Sharma scored 28 off 29 balls, while Virat Kohli played a match-winning inning of 84 off 98 balls.

Former cricketer discusses their potential retirement and 2027 World Cup participation

Speaking on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the former opener, was asked if Rohit and Kohli would be part of India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

"It's entirely up to them. I will be very honest, it's not going to be easy. In 2025, Kohli's performance with the bat has been outstanding and Rohit's has been okay, okay. I won't say his performance is very good. He might change the scenario by scoring a hundred in the final," Chopra stated.

He further addressed the possibility of their retirement from ODIs, saying, "Someone else even asked me whether they would retire. I said I don't know. Their retirement after winning the T20 World Cup seemed slightly logical and it was along the expected lines. It wasn't shocking, but here if they leave both T20Is and ODIs, only Tests will be left then. Will they go down that route? Who knows."

Rohit Sharma has scored 104 runs at an average of 26.00 in four innings in the 2025 Champions Trophy, while Virat Kohli has amassed 217 runs at an impressive average of 72.33.

The future in ODIs and Test cricket remains uncertain

Discussing their potential participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup, Chopra remarked, "The World Cup is still two years away, and two years is a long time. Two years is a longer time when you are not playing the T20 format (T20Is) as well, although, to be fair, many ODIs have been kept in the coming 12 months. So they will remain involved."

He also touched upon their Test careers, stating, "Even in Test cricket, it's been up and down. We don't know what will happen in England, who will go and who will not go, as we have come after losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25)."

"So will we forget that totally in case we win the Champions Trophy? We don't know. Will it make a difference based on how their IPL goes? I don't know. I don't know what's in their mind in terms of ODIs. I won't say never say never, but, for now, it's up to them," he added.

While Kohli was part of India's 2011 World Cup-winning team, Rohit Sharma has yet to win an ODI World Cup. The duo may aim for a final shot at glory in 2027, provided they maintain their form and fitness.

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