India cricket team entered into a transition period following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. First the duo called it quits from the shortest format of the game after India lifted the T20 World Cup for the second time in 2024. Next, they took the world by surprise when they announced their decision to retire from Tests just before the IND vs ENG series, this despite the duo participating in Ranji Trophy games earlier this year in a bid to prolong their Test careers. Eventually, it came about to be that the team mangement wanted to move on on from the duo of Ro-Ko.
The departure of the veteran duo of Ro-Ko has led to a mixed performace. The Indian team did well to draw the series against England and win aganist West Indies at home but lost the series against South Africa. They won the Champions Trophy and the series against Australia in the ODI format while they won the Asia Cup, IND vs AUS amd the IND vs SA T20I series this year, in the absence of Ro-Ko.
Struggle in Tests sans Ro-Ko
Both Rohit and Kohli exited from Tests after a poor last series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While Sharma scored 619 runs from 14 Tests in 2024, Virat managed to amass 430 runs across 11 matches in the 2024/25 period. Virat was troubled by outside the off deliveries which resulted in his dismissals in majority of his innings in Australia. On the other hand, Rohit was forced to drop himself in the IND vs AUS last Test thanks to his poor form.
Both Rohit and Kohli took part in Ranji Trophy games early on in the year in an attempt to stay alive in contention for spots in the Test team. However, the selection committee had decided that it was time to move on to the next generation by the time the series against England was around the corner.
In the absence of the veteran duo, India did struggle against England in their first series after the IPL but did well. They managed to outshine the Windies as well but faltered in the series against South Africa. The lack of experience in an Indian side sans Rohit and Kohli costed the team dearly as well, leading to India losing their first Test series againsst the Proteas in 15 years.
While Gill did manage to do well in the series against England as the new captain, the lack of an effective number 3 and 4 batter in the longest format of the game was felt, with Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan underperforming.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs |
| Rohit Sharma | 14 | 26 | 619 |
| Virat Kohli | 11 | 21 | 430 |
Ro-Ko rule ODIs
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli finished as the number 1 and 2 ranked ODI baters for 2025, despite having retired from 2 out of 3 formats. The veteran duo brushed aside all sepculations about their form and fitness with their performnances in the series against Australia and South Africa. The Hitman went on to score 4 fifty-plus score in the six ODIs that he was a part of after the Champions Trophy while Kohlii has four fifty-plus scores, includng two back-to-back hundreds in his last 6 ODIs. This despite two consecutive ducks in the 1st two ODIs against Australia.
Overall, Rohit and Kohli displayed their prowess in the 50-over format in 2025, proving that age was no bar and that they still had it. The Hitman was least bothered by Gill replacing him as captain just before the Australia series while Kohli went about his business with ease after being uncomfortable initially. Even though cheif selector Ajit Agarkar has maintained that the duo are non-commital for the ODI World Cup in 2027, the duo have proved that they are very much in the game and are good to go for years to come ahead.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average |
| Rohit Sharma | 14 | 650 | 50.00 |
| Virat Kohli | 13 | 651 | 65.10 |
