Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar, BCCI Set to Have ‘Important Meeting’ With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli After South Africa Series

Rohit Sharma's hundred and Virat Kohli's 74 runs anchored India's ten-wicket victory while chasing 237 in the third Sydney ODI against Australia.

Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar, BCCI Set to Have ‘Important Meeting’ With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli After South Africa Series

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar will meet with BCCI officials to discuss about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ODI future. (via NDTV Sports)

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The uncertainty over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future with the Indian cricket team seems to have continued. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and several BCCI officials are expected to meet in Ahmedabad, to decide on their future. 

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have already retired from two out of the three formats, including Tests and T20Is, but still remain an active part of the ODI setup. The duo had first called time on their career in the shortest format, at the end of the Men in Blues’ historic 2024 T20 World Cup final triumph over South Africa. They later decided to retire from red-ball cricket, making announcements on social media. 

However, neither player has indicated that they would call it quits in ODIs, before the 2027 Cricket World Cup. The Indian team seems to have moved ahead, towards a transitional phase in the 50-over format, with Shubman Gill’s appointment as ODI captain being the first major step. Rohit Sharma was removed from his role as captain, just months after having guided the team to the 2025 Champions Trophy title.

There are concerns that the duo might find it difficult to remain fit and in form until 2027, given the limited number of ODIs that the Indian team will play prior to the World Cup. The Australia tour clearly highlighted these issues, as both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were returning to competitive action for the first time in months. Sharma did finish as the highest run-getter with 202 runs, while Kohli finished with 74 runs, but the two batter to time to get going.

A BCCI official most recently, revealed that head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and other officials, would meet in Ahmedabad to discuss Sharma and Kohli’s ODI future. The meeting, as reported, would be held immediately after the end of the ODI series between India and South Africa, providing clarity on their roles in the 50-over team setup. The meeting would also identify future replacements for two icons. The unnamed BCCI official stated (via Times of India):

It is very important that players of Rohit [Sharma] and [Virat] Kohli’s stature are given clarity about what is expected of them and how the current management views their roles. They can’t just be playing with uncertainty.

Sharma and Kohli will next be seen in action in the first ODI in Ranchi, tomorrow. The duo, at the end of the India-South Africa series, might be urged to return to playing domestic cricket in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy season, to remain in touch and in form.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to headline India’s playing XI for first ODI vs. South Africa, KL Rahul to lead side

Veteran Indian icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will return to Team India colors, for the first of the three-match ODI series against South Africa, at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi. The team will be led by KL Rahul, who has been appointed as stand-in skipper in Shubman Gill’s absence.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli South Africa
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will headline India’s playing XI in South Africa ODIs. (via Times of India)

With several top names out of the squad, veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli would have to shoulder a lot of responsibilities. Coming to the playing XI for the series opener in Ranchi, the team management will have the opportunity to test his bench strength. Thereafter, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to partner Sharma as openers, followed by Kohli at no. 3. Team India then faces a middle-order puzzle. 

With KL Rahul confirming that he will continue to bat down the order at no. 5, the no. 4 spot might go to in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad. Rishabh Pant or Nitish Kumar Reddy might follow at no.6, while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are expected to occupy the two all-rounders’ spots. In bowling, Kuldeep Yadav might be joined by Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, completing the XI.

Meanwhile, for the visitors, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton will open the batting, followed by Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis. Marco Jansen, Prenelan Subrayen, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, and Lungi Ngidi will complete the XI.

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