AUS vs IND 2025: 'They will know their future after the series' - Ex-Indian coach delivers final verdict on Kohli and Rohit

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has given a defining verdict on the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, stating that both players will have clarity on their future by the end of the upcoming ODI series against Australia. The duo’s future in international cricket has been a major topic of discussion ever since they announced their retirement from Test cricket in May.

Since then, neither Kohli nor Rohit has featured in any form of professional cricket, leading to widespread speculation about their long-term plans, particularly regarding their participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Adding to the uncertainty, BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar recently mentioned that both players remain non-committal about their future and that a final decision will be made in due course.

"That's why they're here, playing the ODI series against Australia. They're part of the mix. It depends on their fitness, their hunger and, of course, form. So, I think this series is very important to see how they go. They themselves will know by the end of this series how they feel, and then it's their call. (It's) the same thing with Steve Smith (who retired from ODIs in March) from Australia's point of view. At that age, you've got to enjoy it and (you've) still got to have the hunger. But there's no substitute for experience when it comes to the big games, as we saw in the Champions Trophy. Come the big games and the big boys step up," Shastri said during the Kayo Sports' Summer of Cricket launch as quoted by Hindustan Times.

With India currently in a transitional phase, several youngsters have stepped up and delivered impressive performances. The team drew the Test series 2-2 in England to in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and went on to win the Asia Cup 2025. Shastri acknowledged that the consistent form of young players such as Tilak Varma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Abhishek Sharma will serve as a source of motivation for senior players.

"(Varma's) innings in that Asia Cup final was absolutely fantastic. Because under pressure to play like that (was impressive). There's some good young guns there in (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, there's (Shubman) Gill, there's Tilak Varma. A lot of good young talent and a lot of allrounders as well in Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel, so it's a strong white-ball unit. India is much stronger in white ball than red ball. Rohit Sharma … Virat Kohli … they know that these youngsters are pushing them," Shastri told cricket.com.au.