Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Set to Play 15 Matches for India in 2026: ICT’s ODI Schedule Revealed

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to return for the 2026 IPL season, representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians, respectively.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Set to Play 15 Matches for India in 2026: ICT’s ODI Schedule Revealed

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will return to Team India colors for Afghanistan series. (via NDTV Sports)

In Short
  • Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will represent India in 15 ODIs throughout 2026.
  • The duo last played in January, with Kohli scoring 240 runs in a series against New Zealand.
  • India's ODI schedule includes series against Afghanistan, England, West Indies, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.

Indian cricket fans can look forward to seeing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in the ODI team for the remainder of 2026. Following the BCCI’s recent announcement of India’s schedule, it is confirmed that the two legendary players will represent India 15 times.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma last played for India in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in January, which resulted in a disappointing 1-2 loss. Kohli was at his absolute best, scoring 240 runs at an average of 80, including a remarkable 124-run innings in a third ODI. Sharma, however, endured a difficult run, as Daryl Mitchell’s record-breaking stride saw the Kiwis win their first-ever ODI series on Indian soil. 

Following that series, the two players are on an extended break, while the Indian team competes in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Historically, it marks the first instance that the Men in Blue are playing without either Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, with Sharma having appeared in nine different editions. Both players have, however, announced their retirement from the shortest as well as the longest formats of the game.

Consequently, over the last year, Kohli and Sharma have focused exclusively on ODIs, playing nine games. The BCCI recently unveiled India’s itinerary for its upcoming series against Afghanistan at home, which will include three ODIs and a Test. The first ODI will be played on June 14 in Dharamshala, followed by the second match on June 17 in Lucknow, and the final ODI on June 20 in Chennai.

The two players are certain to be included in the squad, as India’s full list of remaining ODI fixtures for 2026 has been confirmed. If everything goes as planned, they will be making a total of 15 appearances. Following the Afghanistan series, India will then travel to England for three ODIs. India will then host the West Indies for a three-match ODI series. The year 2026 will conclude in December with Kohli and Sharma playing against New Zealand (away) and Sri Lanka (home).

The 50-over matches will be their primary international commitments ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Considering the team has lost two ODI series in the last year, India will likely need to re-evaluate its opening partnerships, as well as its middle order.

How Rohit Sharma’s hidden advice unleashed Sanju Samson’s West Indies heroics

Sanju Samson was the hero of India’s Super Eight victory over the West Indies, delivering an unbeaten 97 runs off only 50 balls in an exciting 196-run chase. Despite the 31-year-old’s success, fans have attributed his performance to a piece of advice he received from Rohit Sharma.

Rohit Sharma advice to Sanju Samson
Rohit Sharma’s advice for Sanju Samson ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup opener seemed to have gone the right way. (via India Today)

His innings at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata helped the Men in Blue chase down a record target in the T20 World Cup, while also securing a semi-final spot. Samson’s knock comprised a total of 12 boundaries and four maximums. The significance of the right-hander’s innings lies in its timing, as he anchored India’s batting after the early loss of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav in the chase.

Interestingly, a video of an interaction between Sanju Samson and Rohit Sharma ahead of the USA clash has resurfaced. Fans have been quick to point out that the former Indian skipper’s advice, in which he encouraged Samson not to be disheartened and to wait for his chances, helped him. In fact, the 31-year-old was only a late addition to the playing XI, after most of the batters failed to fire consistently.

Don’t be disheartened. It is a long tournament. You’ll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime.

Samson had to make his way out of the side at the end of the New Zealand series, where he managed to score just 46 runs in five T20Is. He was picked for the second Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe, and his tournament tally now stands at 143 runs in three games so far. 

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