Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returned to the ODI setup for the first time since January, reuniting at the nets ahead of the three-match ODI series against
England beginning at Edgbaston on July 14. The moment was captured on social media, showing the duo enjoying their time together during preparations at the England venue.
Both veterans now focus exclusively on ODI cricket and will next be seen in action following the conclusion of the five-match T20I series against England. Their return to the 50-over format marks a significant milestone as they prepare to build towards the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. The England tour provides crucial preparation before the tournament, which is scheduled to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027.
In their most recent ODI series, India lost to New Zealand 1-2 in January 2026. However, Kohli showcased strong form during that series. In the final ODI at Indore, Kohli struck 124 runs off 108 balls, ending the series with 240 runs in 3 innings. The right-hander also made significant achievements, reaching 28,000 international runs in his 624th innings and becoming the second-highest run scorer in international cricket, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara.
Rohit, meanwhile, struggled in the New Zealand series. The veteran scored 26, 24 and 11 in the three matches but had mixed results in the Afghanistan ODI series before that, with scores of 14, 48 and 79.
Building towards 2027 World Cup with England series
The England tour is critical for both batters, as 2026 is an important year for senior players like Kohli and Sharma with the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 coming up, and if both remain part of Team India's main ODI plans, they are expected to play most matches in 2026. Kohli was included in the ODI squad despite sustaining a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final, though his participation remains subject to mandatory fitness clearance.
The series consists of matches at Edgbaston on July 14, followed by Cardiff on July 16 and Lord's on July 19. These venues offer distinct challenges and will test the veterans' readiness for the upcoming World Cup.
Both batters bring vast experience to India's white-ball setup. Rohit sits third on the all-time ODI century list with 33 hundreds, behind Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, while Kohli continues to set records across formats.
