In the year 2026, cricket fans in India and around the world can still witness the magic of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the iconic blue jersey, albeit exclusively in the One Day International (ODI) format. Both legends have retired from Test and T20I cricket, making ODIs the only arena where their brilliance can be enjoyed in the international arena.
The ODI Focus
Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, with Virat Kohli following suit shortly after. Both had already retired from T20Is after India's T20 World Cup victory in June 2024. This transition signifies a strategic shift, allowing them to focus their energy and expertise on the 50-over format, with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Upcoming ODI Series in 2026
Several ODI series in 2026 will feature Rohit and Kohli, providing ample opportunities for fans to watch them in action:
- New Zealand in India (January 2026): India will kick off the year with three ODIs against New Zealand, scheduled for January 11 in Vadodara, January 14 in Rajkot, and January 18 in Indore.
- Afghanistan in India (Dates Awaited): India is slated to host Afghanistan for three ODIs, with the dates and venues yet to be announced.
- England away (July 2026): A three-match ODI series in England is scheduled for July 14 in Birmingham, July 16 in Cardiff, and July 19 in London.
- West Indies in India (Dates Awaited): A home ODI series against the West Indies is also on the cards, with fixtures awaited.
- New Zealand away (Dates Awaited): Another three-match ODI series in New Zealand is listed, with dates and venues pending.
- Sri Lanka in India (Dates Awaited): A home series is scheduled against Sri Lanka, with the details still to be confirmed.
Additionally, India's postponed Bangladesh white-ball tour has been deferred to September 2026, potentially offering more opportunities to witness the duo in action.
Where to Watch
For fans in India, the Star Sports network and JioCinema are the official broadcasters and digital streaming partners, respectively. For the England tour, JioCinema will stream the matches in India, while Sony retains the TV rights.
Individual Milestones and IPL commitments
Beyond international cricket, both players remain integral parts of their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. Rohit Sharma, retained by Mumbai Indians (MI) for a premium price of ₹16.30 Crore, continues to be a key leader and top-order batter for the team. Virat Kohli remains with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a team he has been with since his IPL debut.
The Road to the 2027 World Cup
With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, 2026 becomes a crucial year for solidifying team combinations. While age might be a factor, with Rohit turning 39 and Kohli turning 38 in 2026, their experience and current form make them strong contenders for the squad. To remain in contention, they need to perform consistently and work harder than younger players.
Records and Achievements
Both Rohit and Kohli have had stellar ODI careers. Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most ODI sixes (352) and three double centuries. Virat Kohli has an impressive ODI record, being the fastest to reach 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, 13,000 and 14,000 ODI runs. He is also on the verge of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's world record for most runs. In 2026, Kohli needs just 433 runs to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's record and become the fastest player to reach 15,000 ODI runs.
Conclusion
Despite their retirements from other formats, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain central figures in India's ODI plans for 2026. Fans can eagerly anticipate watching them don the blue jersey in various ODI series throughout the year, as they aim to achieve further milestones and contribute to India's success on the global stage.
