Even as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue to channel all their energy toward the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, conversations around life after
international cricket have already begun.
With age not on their side - Kohli will be 40 and Rohit 41 by the time the tournament concludes - the likelihood of the two stalwarts continuing in India colours beyond that point appears slim, though no official decision has been taken.
Sensing an opportunity, the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) has openly expressed interest in welcoming the iconic Indian duo once they step away from international duty. Abhishek Bachchan, co-owner of the ETPL, has publicly invited Kohli and Rohit to become part of the league, stressing the value an Indian marquee name would bring to its growing brand.
Speaking to senior sports journalist Vimal Kumar, Bachchan made a direct appeal to the two legends. "Please tell Virat and Rohit that when they retire, they could come and play in the ETPL before any other league," he said, underlining his desire to see one - or both - headline the competition.
The ETPL is set to stage its inaugural season in August this year, featuring teams from Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Belfast. While the franchise names are yet to be finalised, the league is positioning itself as a serious contender in the expanding global T20 ecosystem, with an emphasis on attracting high-profile international stars to boost visibility and competitiveness.
Interest in Kohli and Rohit from overseas T20 leagues is far from new. Established tournaments such as the SA20, Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) have long been keen on tapping into Indian star power. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) maintains strict regulations that prevent centrally contracted players from participating in foreign leagues, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) being the lone exception.
Only after retirement from international cricket does that door open. A recent example was Ravichandran Ashwin, who was approached by the BBL following his retirement from international cricket in December 2024, although injury ruled out his appearance.
Should Kohli and Rohit eventually call time on their international careers, European cricket could find itself hosting two of the game's biggest names - a prospect that would mark a significant milestone for the ETPL and the sport's global reach.
