Virat Kohli's recent social media activity has ignited speculation about his participation in the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Australia. This buzz comes amidst rumors of Kohli's potential retirement from the ODI format, following his earlier decisions to step away from T20 and Test cricket.

The speculation gained momentum after Kohli liked an Instagram post from a fan account that featured him alongside Gujarat Titans assistant coach Naeem Amin, with the caption "Virat Kohli prepping for the Aussie ODIs!". This seemingly innocuous action sent fans into a frenzy, interpreting it as a hint that Kohli is indeed preparing for the series against Australia.

Adding fuel to the fire, reports had surfaced suggesting that Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, might retire from ODIs after the Australia tour, potentially marking their last assignment for the Men in Blue. However, Sourav Ganguly has dismissed these rumors, stating that their future should depend on their performance.

India is scheduled to tour Australia for a three-match ODI series in October, followed by a home series against South Africa. These matches could be crucial in determining the future of Kohli and Sharma in the ODI format, especially with the 2027 Cricket World Cup on the horizon.

Kohli and Sharma have both expressed their desire to play in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. However, there are reports suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might be considering a younger core for the next cycle. This has led to uncertainty about Kohli and Sharma's place in India's ODI setup beyond this year.

Whether Kohli and Sharma's careers continue towards 2027 will depend not only on their form in the remaining fixtures this year but also on their willingness to meet the BCCI's domestic cricket requirements. It remains to be seen whether they will participate in the India A series against South Africa A in November, which includes three List A games.

Despite the uncertainty, fans were relieved to see Kohli's recent social media activity, which suggests that he is in the mood to take the field in Australia. Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest ODI batters of all time, holding the world record for the most centuries in the format. He has played 302 ODIs and scored 14,181 runs at an average of 57.88. With Kohli having retired from T20s and Tests, he will now only be seen in ODIs.