As fans eagerly await the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in India’s One-Day International (ODI) side, there’s good reason to believe that both stalwarts still figure prominently in the short-term plan. The board and team management have mapped out a full slate of ODIs leading up to the next 50-over World Cup; whether “RoKo” (as the duo is fondly called) plays in all of them will depend on fitness, form, and team dynamics.
Below is a breakdown of: 1) the next few chances you’ll get to see Kohli & Rohit in action, and 2) India’s full confirmed ODI schedule (as per the officially published Future Tours Programme, FTP) till the 2027 World Cup.
Will Kohli & Rohit keep playing ODIs?
- Both have stepped away from longer formats — Rohit has moved away from T20Is, and Kohli has retired from Tests and T20Is — but are still actively part of India’s ODI plans.
- Selectors and management have given them clear backing: their experience is valued, and there is no indication that their place in the squad depends on a single series.
- According to recent public statements and projections, both are expected to be part of India’s 2027 ODI World Cup campaign — assuming they maintain fitness and form.
So yes — if things go well, we’re likely to see them in many of India’s upcoming ODIs.
India’s ODI Schedule Before 2027 World Cup
Here is the full list of bilaterals scheduled for India up to the 2027 World Cup (tentatively October–November 2027, in South Africa / Zimbabwe / Namibia).
| Series | Approx Dates / Notes |
|---|---|
| Away: Bangladesh national cricket team | August 2025 — 3 ODIs |
| Away: Australia national cricket team | October–November 2025 — 3 ODIs |
| Home: South Africa national cricket team | November–December 2025 — 3 ODIs |
| Home: New Zealand national cricket team | January 2026 — 3 ODIs |
| Home: Afghanistan national cricket team | June 2026 — 3 ODIs |
| Away: England national cricket team | July 2026 — 3 ODIs (as part of white-ball tour) |
| Home: West Indies national cricket team | September–October 2026 — 3 ODIs |
| Away: New Zealand | October–November 2026 — 3 ODIs |
| Home: Sri Lanka national cricket team | December 2026 — 3 ODIs |
Altogether, that’s 27 ODIs scheduled between now (2025) and the start of the 2027 World Cup.
What This Means for Kohli & Rohit
- The next opportunity for fans to watch them in ODIs begins with the away series against Bangladesh (August 2025), though that’s been reportedly cancelled or under review.
- Following that, the three-match ODI series against Australia (Oct–Nov 2025) is very likely to feature both, subject to fitness and selection.
- After that comes a home ODI series vs South Africa in late 2025, then ODIs across 2026 — plenty of chances for the duo to accumulate match practice, form, and build towards the 2027 World Cup.
Importantly: the management has made it clear that the upcoming Australia series or any single series will not be treated as a trial for their 2027 World Cup fate.
