Kohli and Rohit Gear Up for International Comeback in England
Cricket fans across India have exciting news to celebrate. Star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will make their much-anticipated return to international cricket in July 2026. They will feature in India's tour of England for a three-match ODI series.
This series marks their next appearance for the national team after a significant break from international action. Both players last represented India on January 18 during the ODI series against New Zealand.
England ODI Series Schedule and Venues
The ODI series against England kicks off on July 14, 2026. The first match will take place at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Cricket enthusiasts can then watch the second ODI on July 16 in Cardiff. The series concludes with the third and final match at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London on July 19.
All three matches are confirmed fixtures. They form a crucial part of India's preparation for the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup.
Focus on ODI Cricket After Retirements
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have officially retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket. They now concentrate solely on the 50-over format during the final phase of their illustrious careers.
However, fans do not need to wait until July to see them in action. Both players will be active in the IPL 2026 season, which runs from March 26 to May 31. Rohit Sharma will represent the Mumbai Indians, while Virat Kohli continues with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Additional International Fixtures Before England Tour
Afghanistan is scheduled to tour India in June 2026 for one Test match and three ODIs. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to don the blue jersey again during this series, providing another opportunity for fans to watch them play before the England tour.
Rohit Sharma's Recent ODI Performance
Since retiring from Test cricket on May 7, 2025, Rohit Sharma has maintained firm control over his ODI career. In 2025, he averaged above 50 and finished as the world's number one ODI batter.
He displayed a mix of low scores and commanding centuries throughout the year. Notable performances include a brilliant 119 against England in Cuttack and an unbeaten 121 against Australia in Sydney. He also played valuable supporting knocks in Dubai and at home against South Africa.
The only recent dip in form came during the January 2026 series against New Zealand. Across three ODIs, he managed just 61 runs without a single fifty. It proved a quiet series for the top-ranked ODI batter.
Virat Kohli's Recent ODI Dominance
Since retiring from Test cricket in May 2025, Virat Kohli has continued to dominate ODI cricket. His 2025 campaign was filled with remarkable milestones.
Kohli became the fastest batter in history to reach 14,000 ODI runs. He later crossed 28,000 international runs quicker than any player before him.
During the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, he scored his 51st ODI century, including a high-pressure hundred against Pakistan. Later in 2025, Kohli struck back-to-back centuries against South Africa while chasing targets.
In January 2026, Kohli reclaimed the number one ODI batting ranking for the eleventh time, briefly moving ahead of Rohit Sharma. The January 2026 ODI series against New Zealand further highlighted his excellent form. Kohli scored 240 runs across three matches, including a fluent 93 in Vadodara and a commanding 124 in Indore.
That century marked his 54th in ODIs and 85th overall. It also made him the batter with the most ODI hundreds against New Zealand.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup
While there is still considerable time before the 2027 ODI World Cup, fans naturally hope to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as part of the Indian squad. The big question remains: will they lift the trophy before hanging up their boots? Only time will tell.
