In order to help mentor the future generation of cricket players, former India player Suresh Raina has asked batting mainstays Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to prolong their ODI careers. Raina discussed the significance of the pair’s leadership, experience, and match-winning skills in preserving India’s supremacy in the format amid the rumours surrounding their future in the One-Day International format.
Both Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from Test cricket in May of this year, and they haven’t played in an international match since helping India win the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. In light of the 2027 ODI World Cup, when Rohit would be 40 and Kohli will be 38, the BCCI selectors may decide not to include them in the ODI lineup following the October series against Australia, according to sources. But according to Raina, it wouldn’t be wise to ignore them at this time.
“The experiences of Rohit and Virat are crucial.”
Maintaining an active relationship with the juniors is essential for the seniors. Raina told Telecom Asia Sport, “Shubman Gill has performed incredibly well, but he needs players like Virat and Rohit.”
They must be present in the changing room: Raina
The former brought up their history in important competitions. While Rohit led from the front with a 76-run effort in the final to seal the victory, Kohli finished the 2025 Champions Trophy as India’s second-highest run scorer after Shreyas Iyer with 218 runs at an average of 54.50.
“They have won the World Cups and the Champions Trophy. Virat also won the most recent IPL. They must be in the dressing room because of the wise leadership they have demonstrated throughout their careers,” he continued.
Raina claims that India still lacks reliable options at No. 1 and No. 3 in ODIs, especially while chasing, which supports the idea that Kohli and Rohit should be kept.
The 38-year-old also gave Mohammed Siraj, a pacer, a lot of credit for his performance against England in the most recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Throughout the series, the Hyderabad fast bowler bowled 187 overs without being hurt.
Given his performances for the nation with both the white ball and the red ball, Siraj ought to be included in the Indian lineup in all three formats. “He came through without any niggles and bowled 187 overs in the series,” Raina remarked.
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