'Virat Kohli is very fit, and Rohit Sharma plays very well': Rajeev Shukla breaks silence on India batting great duo's farewell series talks

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla quashed all the rumours on talks of a farewell series of sorts for India ODI captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, which is scheduled to take place in October.

After the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in England, there are rumours that the team management will take a call on the future of Rohit and Virat after the three ODIs against Australia, which will take place from October 19 and 25. However, Shukla dismissed all the rumours that affirmed that both Rohit and Kohli remain very much in the 50-over scheme of things.

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“They haven’t retired, haven’t they? Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both playing One-Dayers. They haven’t taken retirement, so why are you talking and worrying about their farewell? Retirement from two formats, that’s the phases, but they are still playing ODIs. Don’t worry this much. BCCI policy is quite clear; we won’t ask anyone to retire, they have to make their decisions themselves. He has to take that call, and we respect that,” Rajeev Shukla said in a video shared by the UPT20 League.

“We’ll cross the bridge when we come to it. You are already arranging their farewell! Virat Kohli is very fit, and Rohit Sharma plays very well. Why are you worried about their farewell?” Shukla said in response to the hosts’ query on a potential farewell match.

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The duo's last international outing came in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, where unbeaten India defeated New Zealand to win the title. While Kohli played a match-winning knock in the semi-finals against Australia and racked up a century against Pakistan in the group stage, Rohit lit up the final against New Zealand in Dubai, with his sparkling 76 leading India to their first ICC ODI title win in 12 years.

After the Champions Trophy 2025, Rohit and Virat shocked everyone by announcing their Test retirement via an Instagram post before the five-Test match series against England. BCCI appointed Shubman Gill as Rohit Sharma's successor to lead India in whites, and the latter also took over Virat Kohli's batting position in the format.