Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have concluded their international commitments for the year 2025. Their final appearance came during India's victorious third and final One Day International against South Africa in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6.
The Final Chapter of 2025
Having already retired from Test and T20I cricket, the two former captains were exclusively playing the 50-over format with a clear focus on the 2027 ODI World Cup. Their white-ball campaign this year began with a home series against England. Following that, both players were instrumental in India's triumphant ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign held in Dubai.
After a significant gap of seven months from international cricket, the duo made a highly anticipated comeback during the ODI series in Australia, which India narrowly lost 1-2. Carrying their form into the home series against South Africa, both batsmen delivered strong performances. Virat Kohli was in exceptional touch, scoring two consecutive centuries and a half-century. Rohit Sharma contributed with two fifty-plus scores, solidifying their crucial roles in the team's middle order.
India's Complete ODI Calendar for 2026
With the 2025 season wrapped up, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has outlined a packed ODI schedule for the national team in 2026. This schedule is pivotal for team building and preparation ahead of the marquee event in 2027.
The planned fixtures for Team India in 2026 are as follows:
- January: vs New Zealand (3 ODIs) - Home
- June: vs Afghanistan (3 ODIs) - Home
- July: vs England (3 ODIs) - Away
- September-October: vs West Indies (3 ODIs) - Home
- October-November: vs New Zealand (3 ODIs) - Away
- December: vs Sri Lanka (3 ODIs) - Home
Road to the 2027 World Cup
The upcoming 2026 schedule presents a balanced mix of home and away contests against varied opponents. These series will be critical for the team management to finalize combinations and allow experienced players like Kohli and Sharma to mentor the next generation. Every match from here on will be a stepping stone towards the ultimate goal of clinching the ODI World Cup in 2027.
Fans will now eagerly await the duo's return to action in the new year, as they continue their journey to add another World Cup trophy to India's illustrious cabinet.
