The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was yet another glorious chapter in the careers of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as the legendary duo led India to their third Champions Trophy title. With back-to-back ICC trophies, speculation was high regarding their future in ODIs. However, both superstars have made it clear—they are not stepping away yet.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma shared his thoughts, stating that their batting form is still world-class, making it difficult for young batters to break into the Indian team.
💬 Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma’s incredible form:
“My personal opinion is those guys are still batting incredibly well. Virat is still the best chaser in ODI cricket history, and we saw how well he’s batting. Rohit, in the final, played an amazing innings against New Zealand’s bowling attack.”
For Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma, their dominance in ODIs presents a major challenge for India’s younger generation of batters, who must outperform them to earn a spot.
Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma: Still Setting the Benchmark
Even with young talent knocking on the door, Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma believes that they remain irreplaceable in India’s ODI squad.
📌 Why Watson thinks Kohli & Rohit aren’t stepping aside anytime soon:
✔️ Virat Kohli’s unmatched chasing ability – His consistency under pressure makes him a game-changer.
✔️ Rohit Sharma’s explosive starts – His aggressive approach helps set up big totals for India.
✔️ Experience in ICC knockout games – They thrive in pressure matches, as seen in the T20 World Cup 2024 & Champions Trophy 2025.
💬 Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma’s dominance over young players:
“If those guys want to keep playing, then it’s on the younger guys to really bash down the door. The only way to do that is by scoring a crazy amount of runs and doing extraordinary things.”
💡 Key Takeaway: Kohli & Rohit’s form is still elite, and youngsters must outperform them if they want a spot in India’s XI.
‘They Know How to Perform Under Pressure’ – Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma’s Knockout Mastery
One of the biggest reasons for India’s ICC dominance is the ability of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to deliver when it matters most.
📌 Kohli & Rohit’s recent ICC performances:
🏆 T20 World Cup 2024 Final – Kohli’s match-winning 76 (59) helped India lift the trophy.
🏆 Champions Trophy 2025 Final – Rohit’s stunning 89 provided the platform for another India victory.
💬 Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma’s ability to step up in crunch games:
“They know how to perform under pressure, like we saw in the Champions Trophy. A knockout-style tournament, and they played incredibly well, especially when the team needed it the most.”
💡 Key Takeaway: Kohli & Rohit’s ability to handle high-pressure moments makes them irreplaceable in India’s ODI squad.
What’s Next for India’s Young Batters?
With Kohli and Rohit showing no signs of slowing down, young Indian batters face a tough road ahead.
🚨 Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma’s challenge for youngsters:
✔️ Young players must force their way into the team – Simply being talented isn’t enough.
✔️ They need to dominate domestic & IPL cricket – Consistently scoring big runs is the only way forward.
✔️ They must prove they can handle high-pressure games – Performance in crunch moments matters most.
💬 Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma’s message to the next generation:
“If those guys want to keep playing, then it’s on the younger guys to really bash down the door and make their case.”
💡 Key Takeaway: Young batters must prove they can outperform Kohli & Rohit—and right now, that hasn’t happened.
Steve Smith’s ODI Retirement: Shane Watson on His Decision
While Kohli and Rohit continue their careers, Steve Smith has decided to retire from ODIs after Australia’s semi-final loss to India.
🚨 Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma’s longevity compared to Smith:
💬 Watson on Smith’s decision:
“Oh, Steve Smith is still definitely good enough to play until the 2027 World Cup. He’s batting as well as he ever has. But ultimately, it’s his call, and he’s earned the right to make it.”
📌 What Smith’s retirement means for Australia:
✔️ A massive void in the middle order – Australia must find a new anchor.
✔️ Increased focus on his Test career – Smith might extend his legendary Test run.
✔️ Australia must rebuild its ODI lineup – Finding a replacement won’t be easy.
💡 Key Takeaway: Smith’s retirement leaves a hole in Australia’s ODI setup, while Kohli & Rohit continue to dominate.
Shane Watson on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma: Their ODI Legacy Continues
💬 Watson’s final thoughts on their future:
“Kohli & Rohit are not slowing down anytime soon. They are still dominating, and if they want to continue, young batters will have to work much harder to replace them.”
🚀 What’s next for India?
✔️ Will young batters step up in the next ODI cycle?
✔️ How long will Kohli & Rohit continue dominating?
✔️ Can India build a new generation of match-winners?
💬 Do you think Kohli & Rohit should continue in ODIs? Or is it time for young blood to take over? Share your thoughts! 💭
