India’s cricketing superstars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, stand on the brink of one final farewell on Australian soil. Cricket Australia (CA) has reportedly orchestrated an emotional send‑off during the India tour in October—likely marking their last appearance Down Under in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
An Emotional Send-Off in the Making
Both Kohli and Rohit have already bowed out of Test and T20I formats—Kohli on May 12 and Rohit a few days earlier. With the looming 2027 ODI World Cup as the potential curtain‑closer to their international careers, CA CEO Todd Greenberg confirmed that the October 2025 ODI series could be their final ODI stint in Australia.
“This might be the last time that we get to see Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma play in our country,” Greenberg stated, emphasizing CA’s desire to “give them a great send‑off and a reflection of the incredible contribution they’ve made to international cricket” timesofindia.indiatimes.com+12cricket.one+12ipl.com+12.
The Journey So Far
Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket ended a glittering 13‑year journey spanning 123 matches, 9,230 runs and 30 centuries—one of the most impactful careers in red‑ball cricket. Similarly, Rohit departed the Test scene after 61 appearances and 4,301 runs cricket.one+9en.wikipedia.org+9reuters.com+9. Both legends also announced their retirements from T20 Internationals, ceding the format to the next generation following the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph .
However, in ODIs, their leadership remains strong. Kohli is the format’s leading run‑getter with 14,181 runs at 57.88, while Rohit’s tally stands at 11,168 runs at an impressive strike rate, including world‑record 264 and three double hundreds.
Notably, both players are joint second in ODI centuries against Australia—eight each—trailing only Sachin Tendulkar newsbytesapp.com.
What the Farewell Might Look Like
Australia’s October tour of India promises a three‑match ODI series followed by three T20Is. With the likelihood of Kohli and Rohit announcing full retirement post‑2027 World Cup, CA plans to make their Aussie outing special—with ceremony, recognition, and heartfelt tributes cricketwinner.com+6cricket.one+6newsbytesapp.com+6.
This ceremony isn’t merely cosmetic. It underscores the emotional end of a cricketing era defined by relentless passion and record‑setting performances. CA hopes to connect fans to the legacy and inspire future generations.
Legacy and Leadership Transition
Their departure leaves a leadership vacuum. India’s newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill steps into a daunting role, inheriting a legacy built by players like Kohli and Rohit. Veteran Ricky Ponting has expressed faith in India’s talent pipeline to fill the void timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Yet, the emotional and symbolic weight of bidding farewell to two of India’s most influential cricketers cannot be overstated. CA’s gesture helps crystallize their significance, both to Australia and global cricket.
Looking Ahead
The road to their final matches is paved:
- August 2025: India vs Bangladesh, 3‑match ODI and T20I series—likely featuring both stars.
- October 2025: Australia tour—3 ODIs and 3 T20Is, with the ODI matches set to be the stage for the grand farewell .
- 2027: Possible swan song at the ODI World Cup.
Cricket’s Defining Duo
Kohli and Rohit have been the pillars of Indian cricket across formats. Their combined brilliance includes ODI World Cups, Champions Trophy trophies, elite captaincy records, and IPL dominance. Their departure marks the closing of a golden era.
CA’s proactive tribute symbolizes international respect and celebration of their impact—cementing their place in cricketing history.
As Indian cricket turns to the future, October’s tour could be a heartfelt “One Last Goodbye” that honors two legends while passing the torch to a new generation.
