Social Media Storm:Virat Kohli’s Future in ODIs – What’s Next for the King?
India’s legendary batter Virat Kohli has been making headlines lately — from his viral white-beard picture to talks about his ODI future.
Kohli, who has already retired from T20Is after winning the ICC T20 World Cup and stepped away from Test cricket before the England series, is now left playing only One Day Internationals. His sudden Test retirement shocked fans, as many didn’t expect him to leave the longest format so soon.
Some believe it was due to a dip in his Test form, while others feel head coach Gautam Gambhir and the BCCI wanted to bring in younger players for the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Now, with Kohli being India’s only one-format player, there’s growing speculation about his ODI future. While the star batter has expressed a desire to play the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa and Zimbabwe, it’s still unclear if he will be part of the squad.
Why ‘Crown Belongs to Kohli’ is Trending on Twitter
On Sunday, 10th August, a report by Dainik Jagran claimed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma might not be part of India’s plans for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. The BCCI is reportedly looking to build a young white-ball squad for the future, which could mean the two legends won’t make the cut.
As per the report, the upcoming Australia ODI series in October might be the last for both Kohli and Rohit. However, they still have a chance to keep their 2027 World Cup hopes alive — but only if they participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
This decision hasn’t gone down well with fans. Many see it as unfair treatment for two of India’s greatest-ever batters. In protest, supporters took to social media, making ‘Crown belongs to Kohli’ trend on X (formerly Twitter).
Kohli, widely regarded as the most popular cricketer in the world right now, continues to enjoy unmatched fan support across the country — and this trend is just another reminder of his unmatched legacy.
Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli Retirement Rumors – A Big Blow for Team India?
If the retirement rumors about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli turn out to be true, it would be a huge setback for Indian cricket. For over a decade, the duo has shouldered the batting responsibilities, delivering match-winning performances time and again. Even in their late 30s, they continue to score runs consistently in ODIs and remain among the highest run-scorers in the format’s history.
Their last ODI appearance came during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where both were instrumental in India’s title-winning campaign. Kohli scored over 200 runs in the tournament, including a crucial knock against Australia in the semi-final. Meanwhile, Rohit shone in the final against New Zealand, earning the Player of the Match award for his brilliant performance.
Losing both legends at the same time would not just leave a big gap in India’s batting lineup but also mark the end of an era in Indian cricket.
When Did Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli Last Play the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
If reports are true that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been asked to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, it would mark their return to the tournament after a long gap. Interestingly, both had also turned out for their state teams in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier 50-over domestic competition, has been a launching pad for many legendary cricketers. But for Kohli and Rohit, it’s been years since they last participated.
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Virat Kohli last played in the tournament in February 2010, captaining Delhi. Soon after, he became a permanent member of the Indian side across formats, leaving little room for domestic appearances.
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Rohit Sharma last featured in the 2018-19 edition for Mumbai. Not a regular in the Test squad at the time, he played two matches — scoring an unbeaten 33 in the quarter-final against Bihar and 17 runs in the semi-final against Hyderabad.
If they do step onto the field in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, it will be a rare sight for fans — and possibly a crucial step toward keeping their 2027 ODI World Cup hopes alive.
