Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, once the twin pillars of Indian cricket across all three formats, now find themselves in a unique phase of their careers. With both having retired from Tests and T20Is, their focus is now solely on One-Day Internationals. However, their recent inclusion in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia has sparked mixed reactions among fans and experts alike.

The main criticism revolves around their extended absence from competitive cricket. Neither Rohit nor Kohli has featured in any match since the IPL 2025, meaning they’ve been away from professional action for almost five months. Meanwhile, the rest of the Indian squad has been actively participating in either international fixtures or domestic tournaments, ensuring they remain match-ready.

Former India captain and ex-chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar voiced his concerns over their selection, emphasising that assessing form and fitness after such a long layoff is extremely difficult.

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“Rohit and Virat have been great players over the years, but if you are playing just one format, the selectors need to make a tough call,” Dilip Vengsarkar told mid-day. “It’s hard to judge their form and fitness when they haven’t played for months. Selection should be based on current performance, not just past achievements.”

Interestingly, both senior batters skipped the recent India A vs Australia A one-day series — an ideal opportunity to regain rhythm ahead of the senior team’s tour. India A won that series 2-1, showcasing a strong pool of young talent waiting for opportunities.

Dilip Vengsarkar admitted that while Rohit and Kohli’s legendary records justify faith in them, the reality of modern cricket demands continuous match practice. “They’ve done yeomen service to Indian cricket and won countless games. But since ODIs aren’t played frequently anymore, it’s tough to gauge their readiness,” he added.

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With the 2027 ODI World Cup still two years away, the former selector suggested that the BCCI must soon decide whether to continue with the veterans or start transitioning to the next generation. “It depends on how the selectors view Indian cricket’s future — whether they stick with experience or move ahead with players available across all formats,” Vengsarkar concluded.