Former India captain gives bizarre suggestion for Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma amid ODI resurgence

Former India captain Kapil Dev has offered a rather unexpected suggestion for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, even as the senior duo enjoys a remarkable late-career surge in ODI cricket. At 37 and 38, Kohli and Rohit have found new rhythm in their batting after retiring from T20Is and Tests. With a renewed focus on one-day cricket, both are pushing for a place in India’s squad for the 2027 World Cup, still two years away.

Kohli dominated the ODI series against South Africa with 302 runs in three matches, while Rohit impressed with his brilliant batting. Their performances propelled them to the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings, with Rohit at No. 1 and Kohli just behind him at No. 2.

Despite their form, Kapil Dev made an unusual remark at the launch of the PGTI ‘72 The League’ golf tournament in Delhi. After congratulating the pair, he joked that they “should play golf,” hinting at a light-hearted take-possibly even a post-retirement hobby, given that several former Indian cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, have embraced golf after hanging up their boots.

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However, Rohit and Kohli have no intention of stepping away from ODI cricket anytime soon. They will return to action in the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand in January, followed by a white-ball tour of England.

Kapil also reiterated his long-held stance on the IPL versus India debate, emphasising that national duty must come first. With the proliferation of global T20 leagues, some players have begun prioritising franchise commitments, sparking debate across the cricketing world. Kapil remained firm in his views: while acknowledging that different players have different priorities, he insisted that representing India should always be considered more important than playing in the IPL.