Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to return to international cricket during the forthcoming ODI tour of Australia in October. The right-handed batters have retired from the other two forms of international cricket.
However, some speculations imply that Rohit and Kohli’s trip of Australia could be their final international appearance.
Rohit is 37 years old, and Kohli is 36. Both cricketers have worked hard to improve their fitness in preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, if stories are to be accepted, there is some ambiguity over their future in the 50-over format.
Former South African batsman Daryll Cullinan believes that, while Rohit and Kohli have enough experience to continue playing international cricket, they must make themselves accessible in domestic matches to prepare for the physical and mental demands.
“Well, I think from an ability and experience point of view, they could play, I don’t think there’s any doubt in that, but they’d have to be on the ground of international cricket. If I were the coach or convener of selectors, because no matter how good you are, thinking that you can just play a few games or select a few games, not put in the hours and then step in and think you’re going to perform, no, that doesn’t work that way,” he said in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy is set to be played in December-January, and it remains to be seen whether Rohit and Virat play this tournament before the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in January. There have been suggestions for Rohit and Virat to play for India A in the ODI series in Kanpur this year against Australia A. Cullinan said that they must play a significant amount of cricket to prepare themselves for the World Cup.
“So it’s a bit of a catch-22, I’m not saying they need to be on the circuit all the time, but they need to have played a serious amount of cricket, especially going into the World Cup, so they’re in the right physical, mental frame of mind, the grind of international cricket, being fit, then I would say yes, but anything less than that I’d say no, India move on, because that certainly doesn’t work, and that’s in my view. They need to be playing quality cricket for the next two years! Far more cricket than less cricket,” he added.
Give Shubman Gill the ODI captaincy: Daryll Cullinan
Cullinan also feels that it is time for head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar to appoint Shubman Gill as the captain of the ODI team. The cricketer-turned-expert opined that Rohit should play as a specialist batter at the top of the order.
“Yes, Gill for captaincy, irrespective of whether Rohit is playing,” the 58-year-old cricketer-turned expert said.
Rohit and Kohli have not played international cricket since the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March.
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