Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are all set to step back onto the international stage with their return for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. After a brief hiatus from competitive cricket, the duo will once again don the Indian jersey, much to the excitement of fans across the globe.
Both players currently feature only in the ODI format. Their withdrawal from T20Is after India’s triumphant 2024 World Cup campaign in Barbados marked a major shift in their careers. Rohit Sharma later stepped away from Test cricket in May 2025, followed shortly by Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from red-ball cricket.
Despite these transitions, the former captains remain committed to ODI cricket and are expected to continue until at least the 2027 ODI World Cup. Their last appearance came during the ODI series against Australia, which concluded on October 25.
Kohli & Rohit’s Scheduled Return
The much-awaited comeback for Kohli and Sharma will take place on November 30, during the opening match of the ODI series against South Africa in Ranchi. The series will then move to Raipur for the second ODI on December 3, before concluding in Visakhapatnam on December 6.
Following the ODI clashes, India and South Africa will face off in a five-match T20I series.
Fans will again see the star pair in action against New Zealand in January, with ODIs scheduled for January 11, 14, and 18.
After the New Zealand fixtures, both veterans will take an extended break from international cricket—nearly six months—before returning for the IPL 2026 season. Kohli will continue with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while Rohit Sharma will represent Mumbai Indians, a franchise he joined back in 2011 and has led to five IPL titles.