Could the ODI format be the next step for the retiree from Tests and T20Is?
Virat Kohli, one of the greatest cricket icons of our time, is gearing up for the Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates, scheduled for September. However, the Indian team captain's ODI career appears to be shrouded in uncertainty.
Kohli's latest appearance, marked by a striking grey beard, has left supporters both shocked and nostalgic. This transformation signifies a poignant phase in his career, but reports suggest that his international ODI career might end after the upcoming October 2025 ODI series against Australia unless he participates in domestic one-day cricket like the Vijay Hazare Trophy to remain in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup squad.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not confirmed any retirement plans and remains focused on immediate tournaments such as the Asia Cup and preparations for the T20 World Cup. Kohli, who announced his retirement from T20Is in June 2024 and Tests in May 2025, is active in practice and likely to feature in the imminent ODIs.
However, limited ODI fixtures before IPL 2026 restrict match time, affecting longevity. Experts like Aakash Chopra argue that Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Tests and T20Is but continuing only in ODIs may not be sustainable due to the limited number of ODI matches and the comparatively lower pressure in the format.
The upcoming Australia ODI series in October 2025 might be Kohli's last ODI assignment unless he commits to domestic matches like the Vijay Hazare Trophy scheduled from December 2025 to January 2026. The domestic tournament overlaps with a few international ODIs against New Zealand, further complicating player selections.
Regarding Kohli's beard transformation, none of the search results discuss any impact or connection between his beard style changes and his cricketing prospects. Thus, there is no available information linking his beard to his ODI future or selections in 2025.
After the conclusion of the Asia Cup, India will face the West Indies in a two-match Test series at home in the first few weeks of October. The first ODI between India and Australia will take place at Optus Stadium in Perth on October 19. The next two ODI matches will be played on October 23 and 25 in Adelaide and Sydney, respectively.
The Asia Cup 2025 will be played from September 9 to 28 across two venues in the UAE. The first Test match between India and West Indies will take place from October 1 to 5. The second Test in the series is scheduled from October 10 to 14 in Delhi.
Kohli remains set to represent India in ODIs, focusing solely on this format for now. The Indian men's cricket team will not play any international matches in August 2025.
[1] India Today [2] The Economic Times [3] NDTV [4] Cricbuzz [5] The Hindu
- Despite his ODI career being uncertain, Virat Kohli is still gearing up for the upcoming ODI series against Australia in October 2025, where he might showcase his football skills during the celebration of goals, given his love for sports.
- With the Asia Cup 2025 and the ODI series against Australia approaching, sports enthusiasts eagerly anticipate witnessing another exceptional performance from Virat Kohli in the world of football, as he has demonstrated his skills in the past during his downtime from cricket.
