Former India coach Anil Kumble has said it will not be easy for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to maintain the fitness levels required for ODI cricket, especially after stepping away from Tests and T20Is.

The legendary spinner, however, stressed that both Virat and Rohit must be celebrated for the remainder of their careers.

Notably, 10 months after stepping away from T20Is following India's T20 World Cup victory in June 2025. Both stars Kohli and Rohit now remain available only for one-day internationals.

Their ODI future has come under scrutiny, with no clear indication of how long they plan to continue in the format.

The next major 50-over tournament is the 2027 World Cup, and the duo last played an ODI during India's Champions Trophy triumph in March this year. Both made significant contributions-Kohli top-scored in the semi-final against Australia, while Rohit was named Player of the Match for his 76 in the final against New Zealand. Still, uncertainty lingers over their long-term commitment to the format.

"It's not easy to just do what they need to in terms of preparing for an ODI, which is six months down the line. It's going to be a challenge, no matter who you are and how well you have had your career over the years," Kumble said.

"But they are champion players, so they know how to sort of manoeuvre that, and it's important to celebrate champion players as long as they play. You go into thread bare of each performance as to how they should have played or how they could have played."

"What is important is to celebrate whatever is out there with the two players. Ideally, they would like to play until the 2027 World Cup, because that's something that did not happen. We saw that 2023 (World Cup) final with Australia holding the trophy," he said.

India are scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20Is in Australia in October-a high-profile white-ball series that could feature both Rohit and Kohli. Kumble believes the senior duo will be determined to make an impact Down Under, especially after falling short in the 2023 World Cup final.

"The legends who are no longer playing in the other format will certainly want to make a mark, Virat and Rohit, and I'm sure a lot of people would want to watch that in Australia," he said.

"I feel someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal Sai Sudharsan, I think, will make it to that team although he's not a part of it.

(But) I think he will, based on the performances is going to have in England and he'll be someone to watch out for."