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Former Pakistan player Basit Ali said that Rohit Sharma’s forced exit from international cricket could lead to Virat Kohli’s retirement as well. According to reports, the men’s selection panel has informed Rohit that he will not be considered for selection after the England ODI series. He is not in their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with Yashasvi Jaiswal set to be preferred over him in the fifty-over format. The third and final match at Lord’s will be Rohit’s last in national colours.

Basit wants Rohit to continue till he is contributing with the bat and warned against judging him on the basis of two matches. He further mentioned that pressure on Rohit could also impact Kohli.

“He should play as long as he is performing. If you are judging him on the basis of two matches in England or on the likes and dislikes of head coach Gautam Gambhir, then you shouldn’t forget Virat Kohli,” Basit Ali.

“If today Rohit is being forced, it could be Virat next. The way Virat announced his retirement from Test cricket, there is a possibility of both announcing their retirements at Lord’s. If too much pressure is put on the players, I feel you could hear some unexpected news, which would be a big loss because the world wants to see Virat in action,” he added.

Rohit’s future is uncertain after he recorded scores of 11 and 26 in the first two matches against England. Despite the reports, the team management is still backing the 39-year-old, with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak lauding the player for his contributions.

Questions are also being raised on Kohli’s future since his retirement from Test cricket last year. The veteran is still a key player in the ODI setup and has been contributing with the bat in the bilateral assignment.

Basit believes that removing senior players from the team could prevent fans from celebrating the two modern-day legends. He insisted that Rohit deserves a farewell in front of home fans rather than overseas supporters.

“Let’s see what happens in the final ODI. If it becomes Rohit’s last game, then he has been a great ambassador of the game. I wish it is not Rohit’s last game. He should go out in front of home fans and not in an away series,” he said.

While Rohit hasn’t been dominating, Kohli accumulated 65 runs off 66 balls, laced with eight boundaries in the Cardiff ODI. However, his effort went in vain as England secured a 4-wicket win. While all eyes will be on Rohit in the Lord’s game, the visiting team will be eager to win the series.