AUS vs IND 2025: 'It’s difficult to say' - Sourav Ganguly reacts to reports of Kohli-Rohit retiring from ODIs after Australia tour in October

When Sourav Ganguly served as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2019 to 2022, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were the cynosures of Indian cricket. However, three years later, the two stalwarts of the game have retired from two formats - Tests and T20Is - and their future in ODI cricket looks uncertain.

According to reports, Kohli and Rohit could be stepping away from the 50-over format after playing the three-match ODI series against Australia Down Under in October. The three games will be played in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney, on October 19, 23, and 25, respectively.

However, Ganguly mentioned that he wasn't aware of any such decision and stressed that only performance should decide how long they should continue playing in ODI cricket. Kohli is third on the list of leading run-getters in ODIs. On the other hand, Rohit has the highest individual score in the format.

"I’m not aware of this, can’t comment on this,” Ganguly was quoted as saying during the AWL Agri Business Ltd Event.

The former India captain heaped praise on Kohli and Rohit for their surreal contribution to the Indian team in ODI cricket over the years.

"It’s difficult to say. Whoever does well will play. If they do well, they should continue. Kohli’s one-day record is phenomenal, even Rohit Sharma’s. Both of them are phenomenal in white-ball cricket,” said.

Kohli and Rohit played important roles in helping India win the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Rohit led the team from the front and won the Player of the Match award in the final against New Zealand. On the other hand, Kohli finished as the fifth-highest run-getter in the tournament, with 218 runs to his name from five innings, at an average of 54.50.

Rohit has a terrific record in ODIs in Australia, as he averages 53.12, having scored 1328 runs from 30 innings. Kohli has also fared well Down Under, having aggregated 1327 runs from 29 innings at an average of 51.03.