BENGALURU: India’s hard-fought 2-2 draw against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was more than just a result—it was a testament to a fearless new generation of cricketers, willing to push their limits for the team and country.
Mohammed Siraj bowled nearly 200 overs across five grueling Tests, showcasing sheer grit. Washington Sundar never backed down, Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped up when it mattered most, and Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna displayed immense heart. Sai Sudharsan offered glimpses of the long-term promise he holds.
But this coming-of-age performance also poses a significant question:
Where do senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah fit in this new landscape?
Kohli (36) and Rohit (38), both retired from T20Is and Tests, are expected to return for the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia, followed by three more ODIs at home against South Africa. They might also feature in six ODIs—three each against New Zealand (home) and England (away)—between January and July 2026.
However, the question remains—is this limited exposure enough to prepare them for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa?
Will they have the motivation to continue until then, especially with only ODIs and IPL to focus on?
A BCCI source commented,
“Yes, these conversations will happen soon. We have over two years until the next World Cup. Kohli and Rohit will be close to 40 by then, so a clear roadmap is essential. We also need to start testing young talents in time.”
While the duo exited T20Is on a high after the 2024 World Cup triumph, their retirement from Test cricket was more subdued.
Now the dilemma is whether they will decide their own exits—or be phased out with the future in mind.
“Kohli and Rohit have contributed immensely to Indian cricket, especially in white-ball formats. They’ve achieved nearly everything. No one will force a decision, but there will be honest, professional discussions before the next ODI cycle to assess their mental and physical readiness,” the source added.
Another concern is their lack of match practice. Since the Champions Trophy in March, they haven’t played any competitive cricket. And with no domestic white-ball tournaments before the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in November and the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December, their readiness is under question.
As per BCCI regulations, fully fit players must participate in domestic matches, and skipping them without valid reasons could impact national selection. Though exceptions might be made for players of Kohli and Rohit’s stature, the situation is still delicate.
Jasprit Bumrah’s case is different.
Due to his injury-prone body, physios have charted a specific path forward, limiting his workload—evident from him playing only three Tests in the England series.
A former cricketer close to Bumrah observed,
“There’s no doubt about his value to the team. But there needs to be a clear decision—should he be an all-format player, or should his focus shift to just one or two formats?”
“With Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh proving their mettle in Tests, it’s time to back them fully. With two World Cups—T20 and ODI—approaching, we need Bumrah at peak fitness. For home matches against West Indies or South Africa, we have options like Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jadeja. Bumrah won’t be needed as much there.”
“In my view, he should concentrate on white-ball cricket for now. There’s enough cricket—ODIs, T20Is, and IPL—in the next two years. It’s better to have him consistently available in one format rather than sporadically across all.”
