Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — Could the Australia tour 2025 be their final ODI appearance together?
Published on: August 10, 2025 at 21:34
For more than a decade, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been the backbone of India’s ODI batting lineup, carrying the hopes of millions and rewriting cricket records. Now, reports and fan speculation suggest that the upcoming ODI series in Australia could be the final chapter in their illustrious 50-over careers.
While neither player has officially confirmed retirement, the timing and circumstances have stirred curiosity — and emotion — across the cricket world.
Why the Australia Tour Could Be Their Last ODI Dance
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Cricket Australia is reportedly planning a special farewell for Kohli and Rohit, recognizing their remarkable records and impact on the game.
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Both players have already retired from T20 internationals (after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win) and stepped away from Tests earlier in 2025.
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The ODIs are now their last active international format, and a farewell in Australia — a country where both have delivered iconic performances — would be fitting.
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The BCCI has neither confirmed nor denied these reports, stating they will take decisions based on form, fitness, and future planning.
The Emotional Weight of Saying Goodbye
Farewells in cricket aren’t just about statistics — they’re about stories and legacy.
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Virat Kohli: The fierce competitor, the master of chases, the man who turned pressure into an art form.
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Rohit Sharma: The elegant destroyer, the ODI double-century king, the calm leader under fire.
Social media is already buzzing with hashtags like #FarewellKohli and #FarewellRohit, as fans share throwbacks of their best partnerships — from the 2019 World Cup to unforgettable run-chases against Australia and Pakistan.
Even off-field moments — like Kohli’s salt-and-pepper beard at the airport or Rohit’s candid interactions with fans — have become symbols of a cricketing generation nearing its close.
The Road Ahead: Life After Kohli & Rohit
If this tour is indeed their last ODI appearance together, it will open a new chapter for Indian cricket:
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Emerging stars like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad will shoulder the batting responsibility.
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Leadership in the dressing room will transition, with younger voices stepping up to guide the team toward the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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Replacing Kohli and Rohit’s experience, big-match temperament, and aura will be one of Indian cricket’s toughest challenges in years.
For now, all eyes are on the Australia tour — not just for the cricket, but for what it could represent: a farewell to two legends who changed the game.
1. Is Virat Kohli retiring from ODIs in 2025? 2. Will Rohit Sharma also retire after the Australia ODI series? 3. When is India’s Australia ODI tour in 2025? 4. Why is the Australia tour significant for Kohli and Rohit? 5. Who could replace Kohli and Rohit in the ODI squad?FAQs on Kohli & Rohit’s Possible ODI Farewell in Australia
No official confirmation yet, but the Australia tour is widely speculated to be his last ODI appearance.
Reports suggest it could be his farewell too, though BCCI has not made an official statement.
It is scheduled for late 2025, with exact dates to be announced closer to the series.
Both have produced some of their most memorable performances in Australia, making it a fitting stage for a farewell.
Young players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are seen as their likely successors.
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