Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has advocated for an increase in the number of ODIs so that fans can continue to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in action. The experienced tandem is presently only playing in the 50-over format, having retired from Twenty20 Internationals in 2024 and Tests in 2025. Pathan believes that their recent performances have rekindled interest in ODIs.
Pathan had asked why series are not longer than three matches, and why there isn’t a demand for triangular or quadrangular ODI tournaments. While also noting that Rohit and Kohli were feature in just a single format now, Pawar said there is enough window for the BCCI to schedule more ODIs so that fans can see them playing together even more.
“That’s why I am repeatedly saying one thing. Why can’t we have five ODIs instead of three? Why can’t we have a triangular or quadrangular series? Why can’t we arrange that, because these two greats play only one format? It won’t be wrong to say that if a lot of interest has returned to ODI cricket, these two have brought it,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
Kohli and Sharma seem to have been in destructive form in international cricket, not that they are getting any rest playing ODIs only. Both batsmen sparkled in recent series against Australia and South Africa, serving notice to the selectors and team management that they remain serious candidates for 2027 ODI World Cup places.
“The biggest thing is that they are also performing. The World Cup is far away. You will definitely want to think about it, but I am also thinking that the more we get to see them, that these two players should keep playing, keep representing India, and when they are not playing for India, they should keep playing domestic cricket because the more they play, the better it is.”
Irfan Pathan
Team India’s 15-man squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand will be unveiled on Saturday, January 3, if reports are to be believed. The three-match series starts at Vadodara on January 11 followed by the second ODI at Rajkot on January 14. The last of the three matches would be played on January 18 at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
