Legendary batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will play for India at home for the first time since announcing their retirement from Test cricket in May this year. They had made their India return in ODIs on a tour of Australia and will now play the same format against South Africa at home.
The first ODI is to be played in Ranchi on November 30, 2025, and ahead of the game, both Rohit Sharma, 38, and Virat Kohli, 37, spoke about what keeps them going and playing for India even after so much time in international cricket.
Rohit revealed his thoughts about what continues to push him even after so many years at the highest level.
“Drive and willingness are not just now; they are every time you represent your country. It does not matter if you are 38 or 28. ODI is a mixture of Test and T20I together. So, you have to be skillful enough to go out there and handle both skill sets. Especially for me because I open the batting. When the ball is hard and new, it swings. So, you need to bring your test mindset there and leave as much as you can; play close to your body," Rohit said in a video shared by BCCI.
Rohit also said that his motivation has not changed.
“I started playing at 20. My drive is similar to what it is now. The mindset to give your best, give all that you have, has remained the same. I look at every game as making my debut. That is how I train myself," Rohit added.
Virat Kohli, on the other hand, stated that he has given 100% on the ground whenever he has played for India.
“I’m very sure that if I make myself available, then I have to give my 100%. I’ve never played any series, even at 95% capacity. I’m still enjoying my cricket. I’m excited to play any kind of cricket; that’s the place I’m in right now," Kohli said.
“Experience is an accumulation of being present and aware in situations you have been a part of and having all those memories stored up so that you can utilize those experiences when those situations come again. The will to work and commitment to put in work are as high as they have ever been," he added.
Here is the video:
