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Former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's ODI future is uncertain. The upcoming three-ODI series against Australia will be crucial factor in deciding whether they will look to continue till the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa. The former India head coach took Steve Smith's example to explain his point of view. However, he feels there is no substitute for the experience the senior duo possesses.
"That's why they're here (playing the ODI series against Australia)," Shastri told reporters at Kayo Sport's Summer of Cricket launch in Sydney on October 13.
"They're part of the mix. It depends on their fitness, their hunger and, of course, form. So, I think this series is very important to see how they go. They themselves will know by the end of this series how they feel and then it's their call.
"(It's) the same thing with Steve Smith (who retired from ODIs in March) from Australia's point of view. At that age, you've got to enjoy it and (you've) still got to have the hunger.
"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."
‘Youngsters are pushing them’ - Shastri
The likes of Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma are knocking on selectors' doors for a spot in the ODI setup. Shastri lauded Varma and said that the Indian white-ball team is better than their red-ball side. He feels that with the influx of young talent, there is pressure on Kohli and Rohit to come good on their international return after winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in March.
"(Varma's) innings in that Asia Cup final was absolutely fantastic," Shastri told cricket.com.au less than a week ahead of ODI series opener. "Because under pressure to play like that (was impressive). There's some good young guns there in (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, there's (Shubman) Gill, there's Tilak Varma.
"A lot of good young talent and lot of allrounders as well in Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel, so it's a strong white-ball unit. India is much stronger in white ball than the red ball. Rohit Sharma … Virat Kohli … they know that these youngsters are pushing them," he added.
No Cummins for ODI series
The first ODI of the series will begin on October 19 at Perth Stadium. Australia will be without the services of their ODI World Cup 2023-winning captain Pat Cummins who is doubtful for the Ashes 2025-26 opener as well.
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