The recent reports regarding the uncertainty regarding the ODI futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been a highly discussed topics after the duo announced their Test retirements.
If the mentioned reports are to be believed, Kohli and Sharma are being told to play the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy with Delhi and Mumbai, respectively to keep their spots in the Indian team.
This will also prove to be important to help the star duo maintain match sharpness, as the team will prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026.
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The last time they played for India was in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in March, before they hung up their boots in the longest format in the summer.
As they are asked to play domestic cricket to keep their place in the Indian ODI line-up, Aakash Chopra feels the superstars quit the wrong format.
Here's what he had to say.
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Did Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retire from the wrong format?
While speaking in the latest video on his YouTube channel (Aakash Chopra), the former opener analyzed why Kohli and Sharma could have continued playing Tests.
He explained how the lack of ODI cricket being played could hurt the 2027 World Cup preparations for the duo due to stop-start cricket.
"The fact is that they have said goodbye to the wrong format. Left T20Is after winning the 2024 World Cup but the story would have been different if they had retired from ODIs and continued playing Tests — all these rumors could have been avoided," feels Chopra.
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Recently, it has also been reported that Sharma may not continue as the ODI captain, and Shubman Gill is the chosen one to assume the responsibilities, with the World Cup 2027 in mind.
India's next ODI assignment is in October, when India will tour Australia for three ODIs and 5 T20Is before returning home to play 3 more ODIs after the Test series against South Africa.