**Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Continue Playing After Australia ODIs?**
*By Parth Dhall | October 13, 2025, 07:13 PM*
Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes the upcoming ODI series against Australia will be a crucial juncture for two of Indian cricket’s greatest batting icons, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With both players having retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, ODIs remain their only active international format. Shastri asserts that their future in this format hinges on their “form, fitness, and hunger” during this high-profile series Down Under.
### Series Significance: Fitness, Hunger, and Form Are Key
Speaking at Kayo Sport’s Summer of Cricket launch and in an exclusive conversation with cricket.com.au, Shastri emphasized the importance of the upcoming ODI series for Rohit and Kohli. He said,
*”That’s why they’re here (playing the ODI series against Australia). They’re part of the mix. It depends on their fitness, their hunger, and, of course, form.”*
The former coach also drew parallels with Australia’s Steve Smith, who retired from ODI cricket earlier this year, highlighting how fitness and motivation are critical for longevity in the format.
### Experience Matters in Big Games
Shastri underlined the irreplaceable value of experience when it comes to high-pressure matches. He remarked,
*”But there’s no substitute for experience when it comes to the big games, as we saw in the Champions Trophy. Come the big games and the big boys step up.”*
Notably, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli played pivotal roles in India’s recent successes, including the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
### Emerging Young Talent Challenging the Veterans
Alongside praising the veterans, Shastri also lauded the fresh wave of talent pushing for spots in the ODI squad. Young batsmen like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma have shown promising potential. Shastri further appreciated India’s all-round options, mentioning Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel as key contributors.
He said, *”A lot of good young talent and a lot of all-rounders as well in Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel.”*
### Match Schedule: India vs Australia ODI Series
– **1st ODI:** October 19, Perth
– **2nd ODI:** October 23, Adelaide
– **3rd ODI:** October 25, Sydney
Following the ODI series, India will play a five-match T20I series against Australia starting on October 29 in Canberra.
### Squad Update: Shubman Gill to Lead India in ODIs
In a recent change, Shubman Gill has been appointed as India’s ODI captain for the tour of Australia, replacing Rohit Sharma. Shreyas Iyer will serve as the vice-captain.
**India’s ODI squad for Australia tour:**
– Shubman Gill (Captain)
– Rohit Sharma
– Virat Kohli
– Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain)
– Axar Patel
– KL Rahul (Wicket-Keeper)
– Nitish Kumar Reddy
– Washington Sundar
– Kuldeep Yadav
– Harshit Rana
– Mohammed Siraj
– Arshdeep Singh
– Prasidh Krishna
– Dhruv Jurel (Wicket-Keeper)
– Yashasvi Jaiswal
As the series approaches, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to see if they can prove their fitness, form, and hunger to continue representing India in ODIs, amidst fierce competition from emerging young stars.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/ravi-shastri-talks-about-future-of-rohit-sharma-virat-kohli/story