Why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Will Not Be Able To Play Asia Cup 2025?

In a major shake-up for the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of the most prominent figures in modern cricket, will not feature in the Asia Cup 2025. This marks the end of an era in Indian cricket, particularly in the shortest format of the game. Here’s why:

• Retirement from T20Is:
  • Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 internationals after India’s victory in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
  • Alongside them, Ravindra Jadeja, a key all-rounder, also announced his retirement from the T20I format, signaling a major shift in India’s T20 lineup.
• Continued Commitment in ODIs and Tests:
  • Despite their exit from T20 cricket, both Kohli and Rohit will continue to play in ODIs and Tests for India, keeping their leadership and experience in longer formats intact.
• A New Era with Suryakumar Yadav:
  • This will be the first multi-team tournament where Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) will lead India in the T20I format.
  • SKY took over the reins from Rohit Sharma after his retirement, and the captaincy decision was a point of debate, as Hardik Pandya was a strong contender for the role.
  • Suryakumar Yadav has been impressive as captain, with 18 wins from 23 T20I matches, maintaining an outstanding win percentage of 78.26%.

Impact on the 2025 Asia Cup and India

This article outlines the major changes in Indian cricket leadership and the new era, beginning with Suryakumar Yadav as captain. The absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja in the T20I format creates space for newer talents to rise, setting the stage for the Asia Cup 2025.