Cricket Icons Kohli And Sharma Set To Miss Asia Cup 2025 In India

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will not participate in the Asia Cup 2025, which is set to take place in India. The Asian Cricket Council confirmed this through an Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI) for sponsorship rights on Monday.

The Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the T20I format, preventing Kohli, Sharma, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja from defending their title at home. This decision aligns with preparations for the next T20 World Cup scheduled in India and Bangladesh in 2026.

Bangladesh is slated to host the Asia Cup 2027. Kohli and Sharma will have a chance to compete in this tournament, but not on home soil in 2025. By then, both players will be over 37 years old, while Rohit Sharma will turn 40 in April 2027.

Newly-appointed India head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed his desire for Kohli and Sharma to play in the 2027 World Cup if they remain fit and willing. Their experience could be invaluable for the team.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20I cricket after India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados on June 29. However, they continue to play ODI and Test formats, keeping them eligible for future tournaments like the Asia Cup 2027.

The ODI Asia Cup 2027 will serve as a precursor to the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa. This strategic scheduling aims to provide teams with essential match practice ahead of major international competitions.

India's Recent Achievements

Under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, India clinched the ODI World Cup 2023 by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. This victory was a significant warm-up for India ahead of hosting the ODI World Cup later that year.

The upcoming Asia Cups are strategically planned to aid teams' preparations for subsequent World Cups. The T20I format of the Asia Cup 2025 aligns with the T20 World Cup schedule, while the ODI format of the Asia Cup 2027 precedes the ICC ODI World Cup.

The absence of Kohli and Sharma from the Asia Cup 2025 marks a significant change for Indian cricket fans. However, their continued participation in other formats ensures their presence on the international stage remains impactful.