Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar believes the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will inject fresh energy into Team India ahead of the three-match ODI series against England. However, he admitted that every comeback brings fresh expectations, regardless of how experienced the players are. India will begin their ODI campaign against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday, July 14, with Rohit Sharma expected to open alongside captain Shubman Gill, while Virat Kohli is likely to slot back into his familiar No. 3 position.

The duo’s return comes after India endured a disappointing T20I tour of Ireland and England, making the ODI series an ideal opportunity to bounce back. Speaking on Star Sports’ Follow the Blues, Abhishek Nayar explained that extended breaks from competitive cricket can often help experienced players return mentally refreshed. According to him, even legends like Kohli and Rohit approach every new series with the mindset of starting from scratch.

“I keep thinking about this. When a player isn’t playing competitive cricket, there are advantages because you come back with a fresh mindset and no baggage. Every series feels like your first series. That’s a very different feeling, even for players who have played as much cricket as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The question is always there when they return—how will they perform and how will they deliver? You can’t keep thinking about the previous series,” Abhishek Nayar said.

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Kohli has not played competitive cricket since the IPL 2026 final, when he suffered a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the ODI series against Afghanistan. Rohit, meanwhile, featured in that series and scored 143 runs in three innings at an average of 47.67.

Nayar admitted he is personally excited to see how both batting stalwarts perform after their respective breaks, especially Kohli, whose last competitive outing came over six weeks ago. “Virat has had time to reflect since the IPL. Naturally, there is excitement about seeing what kind of form he returns in. The same applies to Rohit Sharma, although he has played more recently,” he added.

The former India all-rounder also highlighted the immense value Kohli and Rohit bring to a relatively young ODI side led by Shubman Gill. He believes the presence of two of India’s most accomplished cricketers will ease the burden of captaincy on Gill, particularly in overseas conditions, where tactical decisions can prove decisive.

“It’s always reassuring when players like Virat and Rohit are part of the team. Their experience gives confidence to everyone. Shubman Gill will benefit immensely from having senior players around him, whether it’s managing pressure, making bowling changes or reading match situations. Their presence will allow him to captain with greater freedom,” Abhishek Nayar observed.

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The numbers underline their importance. Kohli has amassed 14,797 runs in 299 ODI innings at an outstanding average of 58.71, while Rohit has scored 11,720 runs in 277 innings at an average of 48.83. As India begin building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, the veteran duo will once again be expected to lead from the front.