Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma Drop Out of ICC ODI Rankings : Retirement Speculation Grows

ICC ODI Rankings : The cricketing world woke up to a seismic shock on August 20, 2025, as Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma mysteriously disappeared from the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings. Just a week ago, Rohit held the No. 2 spot and Kohli was at No. 4, trailing only Shubman Gill and Babar Azam. Their sudden absence—not just from the top 10 but from the entire top 100—has ignited a firestorm of speculation about their potential retirement from One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Social media platforms, especially X, are buzzing with fan reactions, while analysts and former players weigh in on what this could mean for Indian cricket.

ICC ODI Rankings Riddle: A Glitch or a Hint?

The latest ICC ODI rankings update placed Shubman Gill at No. 1 and Babar Azam at No. 2, with no trace of Kohli or Rohit. This is particularly puzzling given their active status and stellar performances in India’s recent ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign in the UAE. Kohli smashed a century against Pakistan and an 84 in the semi-final against Australia, while Rohit delivered a match-defining 76 in the final. Both players remain integral to India’s ODI setup, making their exclusion from the rankings highly unusual.

The most likely explanation is a technical glitch in the ICC’s ranking system. ICC protocols typically remove players only after prolonged inactivity (usually 12–18 months), which doesn’t apply here. Neither player has announced retirement from ODIs, and the ICC has yet to issue a statement. Fans and experts expect the rankings to be corrected in the next update, but the absence of clarity has fueled rampant speculation.

Social Media Erupts: #KohliRohit Trends on X

ICC ODI Rankings : The news sent shockwaves across X, with hashtags like #RohitSharma and #ViratKohli trending globally. Fans expressed a mix of disbelief, concern, and frustration. One user posted, “No Rohit, no Virat in ODI rankings? Is this a mistake or are they retiring??” Another wrote, “ICC needs to fix this ASAP. Legends like Kohli and Rohit can’t just vanish!” Some speculated about retirement, with a user commenting, “If Virat and Rohit retire from ODIs, it’s the end of an era for Indian cricket.”

The emotional outpouring reflects the duo’s colossal stature. Kohli, with 14,181 ODI runs at an average of 57.88 and 51 centuries, and Rohit, with 11,168 runs at 48.76 and 32 centuries, are among the format’s all-time greats. Their leadership—Rohit as captain and Kohli as a former skipper—has defined India’s white-ball dominance for over a decade.

Retirement Speculation: Context and Clues

ICC ODI Rankings : The rankings controversy comes at a time when both players are at career crossroads. Kohli (36) and Rohit (38) retired from T20Is after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory and from Test cricket in May 2025, following a grueling Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. Their ODI futures have been under scrutiny, especially with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) focusing on youth for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

A recent Dainik Jagran report stirred the pot, suggesting that the BCCI might mandate Kohli and Rohit to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy—India’s domestic one-day tournament—to prove their form and fitness for ODI selection. Non-compliance could reportedly push them toward retirement after India’s upcoming ODI series against Australia in October 2025. However, a BCCI source, quoted by PTI, dismissed these claims, stating that no discussions about their ODI retirement have occurred. The board’s current focus is on the Asia Cup T20 and the 2026 T20 World Cup, with ODI plans on hold.

Voices from the Cricketing Fraternity

Former cricketers have been vocal about the situation. Aakash Chopra opined that Kohli and Rohit may have retired from the “wrong format” by quitting Tests instead of ODIs. He noted that the sparse ODI schedule—only nine ODIs before the next IPL—makes it tough for senior players to maintain rhythm without regular competitive cricket. Sourav Ganguly, however, advocated for their continued inclusion, emphasizing their unmatched white-ball records and leadership. “If they’re performing, they should play,” Ganguly said. Suresh Raina echoed this, highlighting their chasing prowess and mentorship for younger players like Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

India’s ODI Roadmap: What Lies Ahead?

India’s ODI calendar includes three matches against Australia (October 19–25, 2025), three against South Africa (November 30–December 6, 2025), three against New Zealand (January 2026), and a potential series in Bangladesh (August 2025, yet to be confirmed). This gives Kohli and Rohit at least 24 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup to solidify their legacy. Kohli has publicly expressed his desire to play the 2027 tournament, while Rohit has been more reserved, citing form and external factors as key determinants.

ICC ODI Rankings : The BCCI’s youth-focused strategy is evident, with players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sai Sudharsan being groomed as future stars. Yet, the experience and match-winning ability of Kohli and Rohit remain invaluable, especially in high-stakes tournaments.

A Storm in a Teacup?

While the removal of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the ICC ODI rankings has sparked intense speculation, it’s likely a technical error rather than a retirement signal. Their recent performances, active status, and lack of official retirement announcements point to a glitch that the ICC will likely rectify soon. However, the episode has brought their ODI futures into sharp focus, with fans and experts debating their roles in a transitioning Indian team.

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ICC ODI Rankings : As India gears up for a packed ODI schedule, all eyes will be on Kohli and Rohit in the Australia series. Will they silence the doubters and march toward the 2027 World Cup, or is this the beginning of the end for two of cricket’s modern giants? Only time will tell, but for now, the cricketing world holds its breath.