Main points:
There will be many challenges for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in 2026. Both the giants will have to overcome these challenges.
Delhi, New Year has arrived. The new dawn of the new year 2026 has started with a new hope. Similarly, the two biggest superstar players of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also ready to prove themselves in international cricket again in this new year.
The year 2026 is not going to be easy for these two legends, who are remembered as match winners for Team India for the last one and a half decade. This year, there will be many challenges for both the strong players, from which they will have to escape.
lack of match practice
After the victory in T20 World Cup 2024, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had announced their retirement in this format. Shortly after this, during the IPL in May this year, both the greats suddenly retired from Test cricket. Now both the stalwarts are playing only ODI format and they are not getting many matches in it. He has to play only 15 ODI matches in the entire year of 2026. In such a situation, it can be clearly said that playing only so many matches in a year can lead to lack of practice and due to this there will be pressure on both the legends.
The challenge will be to maintain your form
If a player keeps playing throughout the year, he does not face much difficulty in maintaining his form. Despite his poor form, he still gets enough opportunities to regain his rhythm. But playing a few matches in bits and pieces throughout the year makes it very difficult to maintain form. Something similar can happen with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Because they have to play only a few matches on different occasions throughout the year and it may be a challenge to continue the form.
playing in the new leadership
Last year, before the Australia tour, BCCI removed Rohit Sharma from the captaincy in ODI and handed over the captaincy to Shubman Gill. After this, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli played under the leadership of the young captain on the Kangaroo tour. Now in the new year also they have to play under his own command. For Hitman and King Kohli, playing in coordination with a young captain and playing with the tag of being their seniors will be no less than pressure.
Maintaining your fitness as you age is a challenge.
Rohit Sharma will turn 39 in April this year, while Virat Kohli has also crossed the age of 37 and will turn 38 by the end of the year. At this age, most players announce their retirement due to fitness problems. In such a situation, the biggest challenge for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at the age of 40 will be to maintain their fitness. Because on the other hand, there are many young agile players in the team and proving yourself on the field among them will be no less than a test.
Pressure to perform before the World Cup
Ever since Rohit Sharma lost the ODI captaincy, there are constant speculations about whether he will be able to play the World Cup till 2027 or not? Because many young players in the team are trying to prove themselves. At the same time, from the Chief Selector to the Head Coach Gautam Gambhir are not showing any clarity regarding the playing of these two greats in the World Cup. In such a situation, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will have to perform before the World Cup, otherwise they can be dropped.
BCCI’s strict rules
BCCI has been strict for the players playing in the Indian cricket team for some time now. Many restrictions have been set for the players, in which the active players of Team India will have to play domestic cricket while staying away from international cricket. For this reason, big giants like Rohit-Virat played domestic tournaments like Ranji and Vijay Hazare Trophy after years. In such a situation, both these players will have to participate in these domestic events this year also.
Will have to wait a long time after New Zealand home series
Team India is starting this year with a home ODI series against New Zealand from January 11. A 3-match ODI series will be played against the Kiwi team. After this ODI, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will stay away from international cricket for a long time, both the legends will have to wait for about 6 to 7 months to play the next international match and there will be an ODI series against England in July. In such a situation, keeping yourself fit and in form during this long period of time will be a big challenge.
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