The entire cricket world is holding its breath. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are finally back in India’s ODI squad, set to take on Australia starting October 19, 2025. But after a nearly eight-month break and retiring from every other format, everyone’s asking the same question: Is this the end of an era?
Key Takeaways
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to international cricket for the India-Australia ODI series on October 19, 2025.
- This is their first appearance in 7-8 months, fueling intense retirement speculation.
- Head Coach Gautam Gambhir remains non-committal about their long-term future for the 2027 World Cup.
- Former coach Ravi Shastri believes both legends have “enough cricket in them” to continue.
- Rohit Sharma is set to play his 500th international match for India in the first ODI.
One Last Dance Down Under?
Look, here’s the thing. Both Rohit and Virat have hung up their boots in Tests and T20Is. ODIs are the only format they have left. So, as they head to Australia for this three-match series, the speculation is absolutely on fire. Many believe this could be their final tour on Australian soil, a last chance for fans there to see them live in action.
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It’s been a long wait since they last played in the Champions Trophy 2025 Final. This long hiatus has only added fuel to the retirement rumors, making this series more than just a regular bilateral contest. It feels like a turning point.
Expert Analysis: A Divided House
The people in charge aren’t making things any clearer. Team India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is playing it cool. He’s refusing to talk about the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying the focus should be on their current performance. No long-term promises. But then you have former coach Ravi Shastri, who thinks they’ve still got plenty left in the tank.
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Shastri believes both Rohit and Virat possess “enough cricket in them” for more ODIs, maybe even the 2027 World Cup. He says they’ll decide their own futures based on their hunger and fitness. Australian legend Matthew Hayden was surprised Rohit was even removed as ODI captain after winning the Champions Trophy, calling Shubman Gill’s appointment a strategic move for the future. Yeah, even the experts are split.
Social Media Storm: Cryptic Posts and Captaincy Shifts
Just to make things more interesting, Virat Kohli dropped a cryptic message on social media. “The only time you truly fail, is when you decide to give up.” Fans are taking this as a clear sign that he’s not going anywhere, despite all the noise.
And in the middle of all this drama, there’s been a massive shift. Shubman Gill was officially announced as the new ODI captain, taking over from Rohit. It’s a clear signal that the team is looking ahead. As AB de Villiers put it, he’s just happy to see them still competing, but Hayden’s words, “you can’t play forever,” echo in everyone’s mind.
The stage is set. The first ODI kicks off on October 19, where Rohit Sharma will also play his 500th international game. Will this series be a glorious comeback or a quiet farewell tour? What do you think?