Veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to feature in a busy year for India in 2026, with the focus firmly on building towards the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. As per the current schedule, India have several bilateral ODI series, giving the team plenty of match time to fine-tune combinations and strategies.
With the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 coming up, 2026 will be an important year for senior players like Kohli and Sharma. If both remain part of Team India’s main ODI plans, they are expected to play most of the matches in 2026. Their workload will depend on how the selectors manage their fitness throughout the year.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s 2026 Schedule
India are set for a busy ODI year in 2026, with at least 18 matches scheduled across bilateral series. It is worth noting that the number could rise further if the postponed tour of Bangladesh is rearranged.
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India’s 2026 campaign will begin with a three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which will also include a five-match T20I series. This opening assignment will set the tone for the year as India build towards the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.
Shubman Gill is expected to return as ODI captain after recovering from a neck injury. In his absence, KL Rahul led the side and guided India to a 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will also return for the series against New Zealand. Both are ranked among the top ODI batters in the world and are coming off strong performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
India’s ODI Schedule 2026: All Matches Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Are Set to Play
If they continue as part of India’s ODI plans, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are likely to play all 18 matches. The home-based schedule improves the chances of their involvement, especially in marquee series against England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.
Away tours will also be important tests and valuable preparation for experienced batters. The 2026 calendar could form the backbone of Kohli and Rohit’s ODI build-up, making each series a crucial step towards the World Cup.
| Opposition | Home/Away | Tests | ODIs | T20Is | Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Home | 0 | 3 | 5 | January |
| Afghanistan | Home | 1 | 3 | 0 | June |
| England | Away | 0 | 3 | 5 | July |
| West Indies | Home | 0 | 3 | 5 | October |
| New Zealand | Away | 2 | 3 | 5 | November |
| Sri Lanka | Home | 0 | 3 | 3 | December |
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli To Feature In IPL 2026
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Sharma will represent the Mumbai Indians (MI), while Kohli will once again play for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Kohli remains the highest run-scorer in IPL history, with over 8,600 runs in the competition. He has an average of 39.54 and has scored eight centuries, the most by any batter in the league. His consistency at the top of the order continues to be crucial for RCB.
Rohit, meanwhile, has scored more than 7,000 IPL runs. The five-time IPL-winning captain brings vast experience to the Mumbai Indians. Even though both have stepped away from T20Is, they will be crucial for their respective IPL teams.
Also read: BCCI Central Contracts 2026: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma demoted as Shubman Gill gets promotion