Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (Source: AFP)
The Indian batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma picked it up in Ranchi against South Africa from where they left in Sydney against Australia. The veteran duo, once again showcased their batting prowess and proved why they are still the two important pillars of the Indian batting lineup in the ODIs.
The veteran duo stitched a match-winning 136-run partnership for the second wicket for India after they lost their first wicket early at the score of 25 runs in the first innings. After giving a much-needed stability to the hosts, this partnership came to an end with Rohit’s dismissal off Marco Jansen in the 23rd over.
By the time of his dismissal, Rohit had already played a crucial half-century knock, scoring 57 runs off just 51 balls, with five fours and three sixes. Furthermore, Virat Kohli continued to smash the Proteas bowlers across all corners of the ground and went on to score his record-extending 52nd ODI century, hitting 135 runs off just 120 balls, with 11 fours and seven sixes.
Now, the outstanding form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also raises serious questions around the relevance of the debate concerning their ‘ODI future’. This debate includes the individuals both in and outside the Indian team’s setup, be it the selectors or the renowned cricket analysts outside the setup.
With that said, here’s a dissection of this entire debate around the ‘ODI future’ of Rohit and Kohli and a look at some numbers which, to some extent, prove that this discussion or discourse has no ground.
The amazing ODI numbers in last two years: A testimony more than ‘enough’
The modern-day batting greats, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have been in a sensational run of form with the bat in the ODIs, even after crossing the age of 35. The duo has produced some consistent and amazing performances in the ODIs since the ODI World Cup 2023. Besides that, the duo also ended up as the top two leading run-scorers for India in ODI World Cup 2023.
Following the World Cup, they have guided the side to a win in a lot of matches courtesy of their match-winning knocks.
Virat Kohli since ODI World Cup 2023
| Innings | Runs | Average | 50/100 |
| 14 | 542 | 45.2 | 3/2 |
Virat Kohli in ODI World Cup 2023
| Innings | Runs | Average | 50/100 |
| 11 | 765 | 95.6 | 6/3 |
Since the ODI World Cup 2023, Virat Kohli has scored 542 runs in 14 ODI innings, with a brilliant batting average of 45.2, hitting three half-centuries and two half-centuries. He is placed on the fourth spot in the list of ‘leading run-scorers for India’ since the World Cup in 2023.
The 37-year-old batting great also ended up as the leading run-scorer in the ODI World Cup 2023, scoring 765 runs in 11 innings, with an astonishing average of 95.6, with six half-centuries and three centuries.
Rohit Sharma since ODI World Cup 2023
| Innings | Runs | Average | 50/100 |
| 15 | 718 | 51.3 | 5/2 |
Rohit Sharma in ODI World Cup 2023
| Innings | Runs | Average | 50/100 |
| 11 | 597 | 54.3 | 3/1 |
Speaking of Rohit Sharma, he has been the leading run-scorer for India in the ODIs since the ODI World Cup 2023, scoring 718 runs in 15 innings, with an amazing average of 51.29, hitting five half-centuries and centuries.
He was also the second leading run-scorer for the Men in Blue in the prestigious cricket quadrennial, with 597 runs in 11 innings, registering an impressive batting average of 54.3, scoring three half-centuries and a century.
The directionless ‘over-assessment’ by critics and management
After looking at the ODI numbers of both the batting icons, one can easily say that they are fully fit and eligible to play for India in the ODI World Cup 2027. But, there has been an over-assessment by some critics in the media and a few notable people within the management. This unnecessary over-critical approach and the no-required ‘ODI future’ debate around Rohit and Kohli is taking Indian cricket nowhere.
Besides that, it is also going to create unnecessary chaos, controversies, and pressure around both the in-form batting stars. So, it becomes the ‘need of the hour’ to tell the people within the management and the critics outside the setup that, ‘just sit back, relax and enjoy the batting excellence of two greats in the twilight of their career’, which could have a perfect end with their appearance in the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa.
Conclusion: Let them play and leave with legacy
So, the above-discussed analysis and the ODI numbers of both the veterans simply dictate some people, be it critics or some within the management to ‘shut’ their over-hyped and unnecessary narratives.
Having two-three years left in their respective international careers and a sensational form, Rohit and Kohli should be left on their own and decide their ‘ODI future’ themselves.
