Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma faced significant criticism in 2025 regarding their age and form, but delivered key performances, including in India's Champions Trophy win. Despite initial struggles upon returning from a hiatus and subsequent questions about their longevity, both players earned Player of the Series/Match awards in different tournaments. As the 2027 ODI World Cup approaches, their place in the team will likely face renewed scrutiny in 2026 due to limited ODIs and emerging young talent.