BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla has responded to speculation about potential farewell matches for cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He assured fans that both players are still active in One Day Internationals and performing strongly.
Kohli and Sharma have already stepped away from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, which has sparked conversations about possible farewell games, drawing parallels with Sachin Tendulkar’s 2013 farewell at Wankhede Stadium.
"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," Shukla explained in a viral video.
When asked about the idea of organizing a farewell match based on fans’ requests, Shukla was firm in his reply: "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?"
Both stalwarts ended their T20I journeys after winning the 2024 World Cup in the West Indies, before announcing their Test retirements within days of each other in May 2025.
Since IPL 2025, India have not featured in any ODI series, with the next scheduled to be against Australia in October. Media reports also suggest that Kohli and Rohit might take part in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic competition—something that could be significant for their 2027 World Cup prospects, though no confirmation has come yet.
Reiterating the BCCI’s position, Shukla stressed that retirement decisions rest solely with the players, and the board will only consider farewell arrangements when necessary. He underlined that both Kohli and Sharma remain fully active in ODI cricket and dismissed talk of retirement as premature given their current fitness and form.
[With TOI inputs]
Kohli and Sharma have already stepped away from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, which has sparked conversations about possible farewell games, drawing parallels with Sachin Tendulkar’s 2013 farewell at Wankhede Stadium.
"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," Shukla explained in a viral video.
What’s next for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?
— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 22, 2025
Shri Rajeev Shukla @ShuklaRajiv (Vice President, BCCI; Director, Asian Cricket Council; MP, Rajya Sabha) shares his thoughts in a very special episode of Long Off Lounge.
Now live on YouTube — https://t.co/Z5oxTzCbrL@UPCACricket |… pic.twitter.com/srflE3Bc9M
When asked about the idea of organizing a farewell match based on fans’ requests, Shukla was firm in his reply: "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?"
Both stalwarts ended their T20I journeys after winning the 2024 World Cup in the West Indies, before announcing their Test retirements within days of each other in May 2025.
Since IPL 2025, India have not featured in any ODI series, with the next scheduled to be against Australia in October. Media reports also suggest that Kohli and Rohit might take part in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic competition—something that could be significant for their 2027 World Cup prospects, though no confirmation has come yet.
Reiterating the BCCI’s position, Shukla stressed that retirement decisions rest solely with the players, and the board will only consider farewell arrangements when necessary. He underlined that both Kohli and Sharma remain fully active in ODI cricket and dismissed talk of retirement as premature given their current fitness and form.
[With TOI inputs]
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