Amidst growing reports that Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may retire from One-Day International (ODI) cricket, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the situation. Chopra stated that the duo retired from the wrong format, suggesting they should have quit ODIs rather than Test cricket, especially given the reduced frequency of ODI matches these days.
Both Virat and Rohit announced their retirement from Test cricket before India’s tour to England in May. However, reports suggest that they may also be leaving the 50-over format soon. Their involvement in the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa and Namibia remains uncertain unless they feature in domestic 50-over cricket to prove their match fitness.
Aakash Chopra’s Take on Their Decision
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra criticized the decision of the two stalwarts, saying, “The truth is they have said goodbye to the wrong format. They had left T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup, but the story might have been different had they continued to play Tests and said goodbye to ODIs.”
Chopra further explained that India played only six ODIs in 12 months before the Champions Trophy, which means there is limited ODI cricket. On the other hand, playing just six Tests would still mean 30 days of cricket, providing more time on the field compared to ODIs, where long gaps between series make it hard to stay in form. “The gaps between ODI series these days are incredibly huge,” Chopra added. “A three-match series gets over in seven to eight days, and the next one could be after three months. This lack of continuity makes it difficult to sustain form, fitness, and commitment to diet.”
The Challenges of ODI Gaps
Chopra emphasized that the lack of ODI series is a challenge for players like Virat and Rohit. “When you have retired from Tests, and ODI cricket is not played much, it is not going to make a lot of sense,” he said. The gaps between ODI matches mean players are often not practicing, making it tough to stay in competitive form.
Virat and Rohit’s ODI Legacy
Both Virat and Rohit are two of India’s finest ODI players. Virat has scored 14,181 runs in 302 matches at an average of 57.88, with 51 centuries and 74 fifties. His best score is 183. Rohit, meanwhile, has accumulated 11,168 runs in 272 matches at an average of 48.76, with 32 centuries and 59 fifties. His highest score is an incredible 264 runs.
Their most recent ODI performance was in the ICC Champions Trophy, where Virat was in top form, scoring 218 runs in five matches at an average of 54.50, including a century against Pakistan. Rohit, while more inconsistent, played a crucial knock of 76 in the final to seal India’s title.
The Road Ahead
Since 2023, both players have been in sensational form. Virat has scored 1,710 runs in 37 ODIs, averaging 61.07, while striking at over 95. Rohit, in 38 ODIs, has scored 1,714 runs at an average of 48.97, with a superb strike rate of 117.24.
With the upcoming ODI series against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, followed by a summer tour to England, there is a growing hope among fans that both Virat and Rohit will continue their exceptional form, helping them keep their World Cup dreams alive.
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