The much-anticipated return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to India’s ODI setup was supposed to be a celebration, a throwback to the golden era of Indian batting. Fans had waited months to see the RO-KO duo walk out together again, hoping to witness another masterclass of timing, class, and dominance, a glimpse of greatness before what many fear could be the end of era RO-KO.

End of RO-KO Era Coming…?

On the contrary, the comeback match on October 19 in Perth turned into a painful reminder that even legends have off days. Instead of fireworks, India folded for just 136, and suddenly, whispers around RO-KO ODI retirement began to sound louder than ever before.

RO-KO Flop in Perth as Australia Cruise Past India

The 1st ODI between India and Australia at the Perth Stadium was meant to mark the glorious return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but it quickly spiraled into a nightmare. Sent in to bat first, India’s innings collapsed under the pace and accuracy of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Rohit Sharma dismissed for 8 runs. pic.twitter.com/Jg8c7uluW7

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 19, 2025

Rohit Sharma managed just 8 runs before edging one to Matt Renshaw off Hazlewood, while Virat Kohli, who looked visibly rusty, failed to open his account — dismissed for a duck after facing 8 balls. The much-hyped RO-KO comeback barely lasted six overs, leaving fans stunned. From 13-1, India never truly recovered. Skipper Shubman Gill, tasked with leading the side and batting alongside his childhood heroes, fell cheaply for 10. Only KL Rahul (38 off 31) and Axar Patel (31 off 38) offered some resistance, helping India limp to 136-9 in 26 overs.

🚨 FIRST WIN FOR AUSTRALIA IN THE NEW PERTH STADIUM IN ODIs 🚨 pic.twitter.com/xADQ9WSoAp

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 19, 2025

Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, made light work of the chase, winning by seven wickets under the DLS method. The match, which was supposed to rekindle the aura of India’s golden duo, instead reignited discussions about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future. For some fans and pundits, this wasn’t just a defeat it felt symbolic, almost like the end of era RO-KO.

Related Article：Pressure Mounts! Will Virat Kohli in Adelaide Oval Save India’s Series Hopes?

BCCI’s “Tough Love” Adds Fuel to the Fire

Even before the first ball of the series, RO-KO ODI retirement rumours had been dominating headlines. The buzz began when BCCI reportedly urged both veterans to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to stay in contention for future ODI selection. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was said to be evaluating long-term options, casting doubt on whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future fit into India’s roadmap for the 2027 World Cup.

FIRST DUCK FOR KOHLI IN ODIs IN AUSTRALIA 🤯

– He played his first ODI in Australia in 2012. pic.twitter.com/Xd7jPTA1oI

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 19, 2025

This move was widely perceived as a wake-up call a message that reputation alone wouldn’t guarantee a spot in the team anymore. And yet, both legends were eager to prove themselves once again, with reports suggesting they wanted to play until 2027. But the management’s silence, combined with whispers of a generational shift, only increased the scrutiny.

Virat Kohli now holds 39 ducks in international cricket among batters occupying positions 1 to 7, followed by Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar.#ViratKohli #RohitSharma #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/nj1ZZodjmu

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) October 19, 2025

It took BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla’s intervention to calm the noise. Just days before the Perth ODI, he firmly dismissed all retirement talks. “They are great batsmen. It’s wrong to say this is their last ODI series. It depends on the players as to when they have to retire,” Shukla said, emphasizing that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future remains firmly in their hands. However, that assurance hasn’t stopped critics from dissecting every innings especially after the Perth collapse, which has inevitably fueled more chatter about whether the end of era RO-KO is drawing near.

RICKY PONTING ON ROHIT & KOHLI:

“You never write off champion players – These two have been among the very best & I’ve said before that I consider Virat the greatest 50-over player I’ve ever seen. They’ll find ways to contribute and win matches for their team, and if they do… pic.twitter.com/TNxZsAa2kV

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 21, 2025

Adding to the drama, head coach Gautam Gambhir’s measured comments after the West Indies Test series didn’t offer much clarity either. He insisted on “staying in the present” and called both players “quality assets,” but his diplomatic tone suggested that the transition phase had already begun. The combination of board pressure and public expectation has placed the duo in a delicate spot one where every failure feels magnified, and every success feels like a temporary reprieve for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future.

Fans Turn from Worshippers to Critics Overnight

There’s no audience quite like the Indian cricket fandom passionate, emotional, and often extreme. When RO-KO bat well, they’re celebrated like divine beings; when they fail, the same fans demand their exit from the team. The reaction after the Perth ODI was no different. Social media was flooded with memes, sarcastic posts, and calls for “fresh faces,” with many claiming that RO-KO ODI retirement was long overdue. Yet, just days earlier, these same voices were busy romanticizing the return of India’s greatest batting pair.

Brace yourselves…they’re 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙄𝙣 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙨 🔥

Rohit Sharma 🤝 Virat Kohli

🎥 Watch on loop as the duo gears up for #AUSvIND 💪 #TeamIndia | @ImRo45 | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/u99yHyFfwJ

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 17, 2025

This duality is not new Indian fans have always oscillated between blind adoration and ruthless criticism. In the age of social media, these mood swings only intensify, turning every match into a referendum on legacy. For players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who’ve carried Indian cricket for over a decade, this kind of pressure isn’t new, but it’s certainly heavier now. Both are aware that they’re not just fighting bowlers anymore they’re fighting perception, time, and the expectations of a billion people.

Sunil Gavaskar said “Don’t be surprised if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli score big in the next two games. They are coming back after a few months away from international cricket. The more they play, spend in the nets, and the more throw-downs they get, the quicker they will find… pic.twitter.com/rBAe0w6Uln

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 20, 2025

Still, if history has shown anything, it’s that writing off RO-KO is risky business. They’ve made comebacks before after injuries, slumps, and criticism and they could do it again. Whether the end of the RO-KO era is truly near or just another false alarm depends on what happens next. A strong response in the remaining ODIs could silence doubters. Another poor series, however, and the noise about RO-KO ODI retirement might grow too loud to ignore.

RO-KO at the Crossroads：Farewell or Fresh Beginning?

For now, the picture remains uncertain. The RO-KO ODI retirement debate will keep swirling as two living legends begin to fade under the spotlight they once ruled. BCCI’s “tough love” move to back youngsters like Shubman Gill signals change, but fans must be ready for it. Whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future means guiding the next generation or chasing one last title remains unclear.