Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may have stepped away from T20Is and Test cricket, but their hunger and skill in ODIs remain as strong as ever. Former India cricketer and selector Madan Lal believes that the future of these two modern greats should be entirely in their own hands. With both eyeing the 2027 World Cup, Lal feels no one else should dictate their retirement or continuation as long as they remain fit and perform at the highest level.
There have been no questions about either player’s current form. In fact, Kohli and Rohit were instrumental in India’s recent ODI wins against Australia and South Africa, showcasing sharp running between the wickets, precise shot selection, and the same intensity they displayed in their late 20s.
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“It is their decision and not anybody else’s,” Madan Lal said to PTI Videos during the Asian Legends League Season 2. Praising their fitness, he added, “The way they are playing the ODI series shows they are still very fresh. Virat’s running, his singles, his stroke play… it’s nice to see how they are going.”
Lal, who once played a key role as a selector during Sachin Tendulkar’s captaincy, also shed light on the pressure coaches and selectors face. According to him, criticism is unavoidable when the team struggles.
“The first person to be criticised is the coach and the selector. I have been both, so I understand. As long as your conscience is clear, that is what matters,” he said. Lal added that the team’s performance is judged by coaches, and selectors are questioned too when results don’t go India’s way.
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Reflecting on Tendulkar’s mixed run as captain—four wins in 25 Tests and 23 victories in 73 ODIs—Lal acknowledged that mistakes are an inevitable part of the sport. “I have made mistakes too, and they are part of the game,” he concluded, reinforcing that experience and intent matter just as much as results.
