Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli recently called time on their Test careers, leaving a big void in the Indian team ahead of the all-important England tour that marks the beginning of the new WTC cycle.

Having retired from T20Is last year, both stalwarts will now focus solely on the One-Day International format.

However, former India skipper Anil Kumble reckons it will not be easy for Rohit and Kohli maintain the fitness levels required for ODI cricket.

There is no clear indication of how long they plan to continue in the 50-over format. The next major ODI tournament is the 2027 World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa.

"It's not easy to just do what they need to in terms of preparing for an ODI, which is six months down the line. It's going to be a challenge, no matter who you are and how well you have had your career over the years," Kumble said, as quoted by TOI.

The legendary spinner stressed that both Rohit and Kohli must be celebrated for the remainder of their international careers.

"But they are champion players, so they know how to sort of manoeuvre that, and it's important to celebrate champion players as long as they play. You go into thread bare of each performance as to how they should have played or how they could have played."

"What is important is to celebrate whatever is out there with the two players. Ideally, they would like to play until the 2027 World Cup, because that's something that did not happen. We saw that 2023 (World Cup) final with Australia holding the trophy," he stated.

India are scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20Is in Australia in October this year -- a high-profile white-ball series that could feature both Rohit and Kohli.

"The legends who are no longer playing in the other format will certainly want to make a mark, Virat and Rohit, and I'm sure a lot of people would want to watch that in Australia," Kumble remarked.

He expressed confidence in new players making their mark. "I feel someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal... Sai Sudharsan, I think, will make it to that team although he's not a part of it. But I think he will, based on the performances is going to have in England and he'll be someone to watch out for," Kumble stated.

He also shared expectations for the shortest format. "Of course, in the T20 format, Suryakumar is someone who I'm sure all of us would want to watch. I have a feeling that one of the (top) performers from this IPL will be a part of that too. I don't know who it is, but I'm sure one of the uncapped players, there have been wonderful performances and India will certainly not overlook those. The selectors will want to sort of capitalise on one of those players to be a part of Australia," he concluded.