Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has cautioned star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma that now that they play only one format for India in international cricket, every series they appear in becomes extremely important for them.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both retired from T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2024 win and shockingly called time on their Test careers in May this year as well. This leaves them with only the ODI format, where they play for India.

After last appearing for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in March, both Rohit, 38, and Kohli, 37, made their India return in the recent Australia ODIs. Rohit made 8, 73, and 121*, while Kohli made two ducks before scoring 74* in the final ODI.

The duo will now be seen in action when India takes on South Africa in a three-match ODI series that starts on November 30 in Ranchi.

"For both of them, I think each and every series will be very important because you are just playing one format. A player needs to be in touch with the game, and they will be playing after a bit of a break, which makes it a little more challenging. Having that experience of playing just one format, I can talk from my experience that when you play international cricket after a long time, you are trying to find the rhythm. When it comes to white-ball cricket, it's slightly easier," Pujara stated on media day ahead of the first Test in South Africa.

"But at the same time, because of their age, they have to work hard, which they have been doing, and they have seen the results recently that they have scored runs. And we are hopeful that they will carry on playing till their 2027 World Cup," he added.

Furthermore, Pujara stated that it will be Rohit and Virat’s personal calls to continue or not, but if they are enjoying their time in the middle, things can be evaluated as they play on.

"It will be their personal call. I don't think we should be looking that far ahead. It also depends on how their body is responding, how they are enjoying just playing one format of the game, if they are enjoying it and carrying on, and if they are having a good form; then we will see what happens going forward.

But as of now, I think every series becomes very important because for them to perform, to score runs, to maintain that rhythm, and to sustain that form is very important, and that's why I believe that each and every series and each and every match becomes very important for them.” Pujara added.

(Times of India inputs)