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Anil Kumble Flags Worry Over Kohli-Rohit India Form Due To ODI Drought 

Kaushik Kashyap

Anil Kumble on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ODI future. [Source - Imtanujsingh/x.com]Anil Kumble on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ODI future. [Source - Imtanujsingh/x.com]

The sudden retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket has sent shockwaves around the cricketing world. With both Indian batting stalwarts having already stepped away from T20 Internationals as well after the 2024 T20 World Cup victory, their careers are now confined solely to the ODI format.

This situation, while potentially lengthening their playing days for two more years, comes with its own set of challenges and the most difficult among will be the lack of 50-over matches in the current international calendar. With bilateral ODI series becoming increasingly rare, Kohli and Rohit may struggle to maintain rhythm, match fitness, and form.

Kumble Questions Kohli-Rohit's ODI-Only Route

This concern was much echoed by former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble, who expressed his views on Kohli-Rohit post test retirements days in international cricket, recently while speaking in Jiostar and also on the impact of long breaks between ODI appearances. 

According to Kumble, the lack of regular ODIs and with the cricket teams focusing more on T20 leagues and World Test Championship commitments, could hamper the momentum and readiness of the two Indian veterans.

“They are both great players. But it will not be easy to do what they need to do, which is to just play ODIs which are five months down the line. No matter who you are and how well you have played in your careers,” Kumble said.

With the T20 World Cup as the only major white-ball tournament in the near future, Kohli and Rohit face an extended break from international cricket regularity. Their next likely appearance, a three-match ODI series against Australia in October, is nearly five months away, making form and match readiness a serious concern.

ODI Gaps Might Derail Kohli-Rohit's 2027 World Cup Hopes

The evolving nature of ODI cricket also demands a lot more adaptability and sharpness that can only come with continuous play. For stalwarts like Kohli and Sharma, the lack of consistent match practice could prove to be a major hurdle, especially, between the potential dream to lift the ODI World Cup in South Africa in 2027.

They are great players and their legacy is secure, but the road ahead in just one format might be harder than it seems. There are viable alternatives to help maintain form and match readiness, such as participating in the 50-over domestic competitions like the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Moreover, they can even consider taking up a county cricket stint in the UK, an option many cricketers take post-retirement. However, it ultimately depends on how Kohli and Rohit choose to manage their paths forward.