When will Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma play for India again?
After finishing India’s ODI series against Australia in October on a high, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are on a brief break before returning to action again this year. The duo has scored 25,000 ODI runs in a combined career spanning over 15 years.
The senior duo guided India to a 9-wicket win in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25, chasing down a target of 237 with ease. They shared their 19th century stand in ODIs, adding an unbeaten 168-run partnership. Rohit remained not out on 121 off 125 balls, while Kohli finished unbeaten on 74. The partnership was a treat for cricket fans despite India finishing on the losing side 2-1. 25,000 ODI runs shared between the two greats that concluded in a match-winning partnership.
Kohli had struggled earlier in the series, registering back-to-back ducks in the first two ODI matches. However, his composed innings in Sydney marked a strong return to form. Rohit was India’s most consistent performer in the series, amassing 202 runs in 3 games, the only batter to cross the 150-run mark in the series down under.
Despite their contributions, both veterans’ international futures remain under discussion as they now feature only in the 50-over format, having retired from Tests and T20Is.
India’s new ODI captain Shubman Gill was asked if there had been discussions about their upcoming assignments after the Sydney match. Gill said,
“We haven’t talked about it yet. But I think once the South Africa (ODI) series is over (on December 6), there will be a gap in international cricket before the New Zealand ODI series (January 11, 2026). So I think then we will see how to keep the players in touch. Then I think a decision will be taken.”
Upcoming Schedule for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
The next international appearance for Kohli and Rohit will be during the ODI series in South Africa, starting November 30. The series will continue on December 3 and conclude on December 6.
Following the South Africa series, the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy begins on December 24. Both the players will represent their respective state sides. Rohit Sharma will play for Mumbai and Virat Kohli for Delhi.
The Indian Cricket Board has reportedly encouraged senior players to feature in domestic cricket to maintain match fitness. Both had made brief returns to domestic cricket during the 2024-25 season after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
In January 2026, India will host New Zealand for 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is. The white-ball series will be a part of their home season ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The ODIs are scheduled for January 11 (Vadodara), January 14 (Rajkot) and January 18 (Indore). All the matches will start at 1:30 PM IST.
With the ODI World Cup cycle continuing, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain crucial to India’s plans, even as they approach the end of their international careers.