Kohli and Rohit only continue to play ODIs for India going forward.
However, after a few tough months against New Zealand and then Australia in Test cricket, with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling with form, they decided to announce their retirement from Test cricket as well in May this year.
This means Rohit, 38, and Virat, 36, will now only play for India in ODI cricket with an aim to continue till the 2027 ICC World Cup. However, Aakash Chopra was taken aback by the pair's decisions to play in ODIs yet retire from Test cricket.
“Both of them can push it till the World Cup. Since the 2027 World Cup is in South Africa, experience and skills will be needed. Again, that's also a bridge too far, but both have realistic chances till the 2027 World Cup. However, they are playing less cricket, and I don't like that,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra also showed concern about the reduced game time that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will now have in international cricket while playing only ODIs.
“I feel they should have been playing more cricket. They would have played a lot of cricket had they kept playing tests. I don't know why they have left Tests and are playing ODIs and have left T20Is too. Two months of IPL and then 10 matches in 10 months. Personally, I don't understand this,” he remarked.
Chopra was also asked about how Kohli's legacy will ultimately be judged. Reflecting further, Chopra noted India's near misses under Kohli's leadership.
“I think batting records. In terms of impact as a leader, he hasn't lifted any ICC trophy. ICC trophies are remembered. It's good when you win the Test Mace or the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but the novelty fades when the next team also wins.
Of course, they won under Virat's captaincy for the first time, but then they won again. We drew the series in South Africa and didn't win in England. We have won a few tournaments, but not the big ICC events, whether T20 or ODI World Cup,” Chopra said.