Virat Kohli last played for India in the final of champions trophy 2025 since then the legendary cricketer has been away from the game. He was seen playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025 and won the title with the team. He retired from the T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Border Gavaskar trophy 2025 was his last tes. He will be seen playing only ODI for India and the upcoming Australia series is much anticipate by the fans to see their favorite cricketer in the blues again.

Having said that there are several rumors floating around that Virat Kohli might retire from ODI to after the Australia series former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has asserted that Virat Kohli should play up until 2027 ODI World Cup. He also added that Virat is very important for team India and Virat's form is also crucial for the Indian team to continue in a good form.

Read More: BCCI selector reveals India's probable opening combination for Asia Cup 2025

"Virat Kohli should play 2027 World Cup - At Number 3, he control the game, Virat is very important for India. No one is better than him in this format. You need player like him who can play according to situation,” said Rayudu on Shubhankar Mishra YouTube channel.

Australia series remain important for Rohit Sharma 

It's worth noting that Virat Kohli is currently in England spending some time with the family away from the game. He was recently seen at the Lords Stadium practicing, and the picture of him practicing went viral on social media. With Indian team playing fewer ODIs in the calender year, it will be interesting to see how Kohli takes his game forward in the sole format.

Other than Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma also retired from the T20 Internationals, and he also retired from the test cricket just after the BGT. Both the veterans are playing only one format and the upcoming Australia series will be crucial for both of them keeping in mind the 2027 World Cup. Rohit appeared for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 and he looked in solid touch though he missed a few matches and played as only impact player.

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has revealed that he already had the 2019 World Cup kit before being left out of the squad. The cricketer-turned-commentator also explained that around 25-30 players are usually shortlisted before the final 15-member team is picked for the World Cup.

Rayudu further said that he never actually bought 3D glasses to watch the World Cup. He clarified that his earlier comment was made out of frustration after not being selected purely as a batter for the No. 4 position.

All-rounder Vijay Shankar replaced Rayudu in India’s 2019 World Cup squad. However, Shankar could not make much impact, scoring only 58 runs and taking two wickets in three matches. During the tournament, the Virat Kohli-led team tried four different players — Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and KL Rahul — for the No. 4 role.

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu revealed that he already had the 2019 World Cup jersey and kit before being dropped from the squad. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, the ex-CSK batter explained how the process works.

Rayudu said: “Yes, I had the jersey and kit for the 2019 World Cup because they prepare 20-25 players with passports, visas, and clothes in advance. The final selection happens later because it’s tough to arrange everything at the last minute. It’s not like I was in the team and then kicked out.”

Also Read - Rohit Sharma shares strong message for Mumbai citizens in heavy rain

Rayudu clarifies on 3D glasses remark

The 39-year-old also cleared the air about his old “3D glasses” tweet, which had gone viral after his omission.

“No, no. At that time, the most frustrating thing was that if you were not picking a proper No. 4 batter, then why select an all-rounder for that position? At No. 4, you need a specialist batter who can build a bridge between the top order and lower middle order, not just a ‘3-dimensional player.’”

Rayudu was dropped from the 2019 World Cup squad despite scoring 247 runs in 10 ODIs that year at an average of 30.88. In 2018, however, he had a much better run, scoring 392 runs in 10 matches at an average of 56, including a century and three fifties.

“What Robin said is true” – Rayudu hints at favouritism

Rayudu also seemed to agree with former India cricketer Robin Uthappa, who once claimed that Virat Kohli’s personal preferences influenced team selections.

“What Robin has said is completely true (about liking and disliking in Indian cricket), but it was for a period of time. In one interview, I also said that Virat supported me. But at the end of the day, people get carried away. I felt at that time the decision was not entirely based on cricket. It was a management call. You cannot blame only the selector, captain, or coach. It was not just about cricket.”

Uthappa’s old claim on Kohli

In an earlier interview, Robin Uthappa had directly accused then-captain Virat Kohli of cutting players he didn’t like. Speaking about Rayudu’s case, Uthappa had said (via DNA):

“If he (Virat Kohli) didn’t like anyone, he didn’t feel someone was good, then they were cut. Rayudu is the prime example. He had the World Cup clothes, kit bag, and everything ready. A player would think he is going to the World Cup, but they shut the door on him. That wasn’t fair.”

Rayudu’s international and IPL career

Rayudu didn’t play the 2019 World Cup but finished with decent numbers for Team India. He represented the side in 55 ODIs and six T20Is, scoring 1694 ODI runs at an average of 47.05, including three centuries and 10 fifties.

In the IPL, Rayudu became one of the most successful players, winning six trophies — three each with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Across 204 IPL matches, he scored 4348 runs, with one century and 22 fifties to his name.

The fresh reports reckoned that the Champions Trophy 2025 winning captain for India, Rohit Sharma, could feel the pressure during the upcoming three-match away ODI series against Australia down under. The speculation has been around the batter potentially retiring from the 50-over format, having already hung up his shoes from the shortest and longest formats.

Rohit took his 20-over retirement after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa in Barbados, while his red-ball retirement came just a few weeks before India’s five-match Test series in England. If the Mumbai batter retires before the next ODI World Cup, then Shreyas Iyer could be the best option to lead the side, as Ambati Rayudu addressed.

See Also: The Hundred 2025, Match 19: Southern Brave vs Oval Invincibles full match highlights and scorecard

“Shreyas should be the next ODI captain after Rohit. He has an extraordinary calmness. The way he led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the champions and also took the Punjab Kings to the finals of the IPL this year was fabulous. No one gave them a chance, but he was extraordinary there. I want to see him in that spot quickly.” Rayudu expressed during a podcast on Shubhankar Mishra.

Ambati Rayudu picks Shreyas Iyer as India’s new captain after Rohit Sharma

However, Rayudu reckoned that Rohit should be the leader of the 2027 edition of the 50-over World Cup as the Nagpur-born has used his bowlers beautifully besides handling the pressure in the middle. His batting in the power play has also been fabulous in the last few months.

Ambati Rayudu said Shreyas Iyer should be next ODI captain of indian cricket team 🇮🇳#ShreyasIyer #apmbatirayudu pic.twitter.com/QSgDiRk9Xq

— Horizon (@hype_edittz) August 18, 2025

“You need to look at who can win you the World Cup. If Rohit’s captaincy can do that, then he should continue till 2027. No one can replace Rohit in ODIs; his captaincy, his batting & the confidence he gives to players are all extremely important – Rohit must be the captain in the 2027 World Cup.” Rayudu shed light on the podcast.

Shreyas Iyer has overall smashed 2845 runs in 65 ODI innings at an average of 48.22 and a strike rate of 100 with the help of 22 half-centuries and five centuries at the best score of unbeaten 128 runs.

It was the catch that ended India’s ICC trophy drought by 11 years. It was the catch from Suryakumar Yadav that led India to their second T20 World Cup victory. It was the catch that’s still fresh among the Indian fans even after 14 months. But the former Indian batter, Ambati Rayudu, has reignited the debate on the legality of the catch against South Africa in Barbados.

Suryakumar Yadav was standing at long-on when David Miller clubbed the first ball of the last over from Hardik Pandya in that direction. But the Mumbai-born held his nerves and grabbed the special catch. But many reckoned that the foot had brushed the rope, which was kept a few inches inside its normal place.

See Also: [WATCH] Indian Army soldiers play cricket with locals in south Kashmir as video goes viral

“There were world feed commentators. During the break, they usually put a chair and a screen there for broadcasters. That’s why the rope was pushed back a little. But after the screen and chair were removed, it was left that way. The boundary ended up being a bit bigger for us. We could see it clearly from above. It was god’s plan.” Rayudu expressed during a recent interaction on a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra.

Ambati Rayudu sparks debate on Suryakumar Yadav’s catch in T20 World Cup 2024

The ICC playing conditions define the actual story of the boundary, where the 19.3 section specifies that “If a solid object used to mark the boundary is disturbed for any reason, then the boundary shall be considered to be in its original position.” On the 19.3.2 law, it further adds “If a solid object used to mark the boundary is disturbed for any reason, the object shall be returned to its original position as soon as is practicable.”

Ambati Rayudu – "The broadcaster indirectly helped Surya with that catch if the rope was inside it was a clear six."

Later he covered it up by saying God was with us. Is this guy indirectly taking a dig at India’s T20 World Cup win?Why has he been so salty in the last 1 year 🙁 pic.twitter.com/mWf67iaUHK

— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) August 18, 2025

“I don’t know if it was a six (in natural incidents) or not. If the rope had been placed at its normal position, maybe Surya would’ve run from inside.” Rayudu later looked to calm down the aspect.” The Hyderabad-born addressed.

Suryakumar Yadav later became the new T20I captain of the Blue Brigade after Rohit retired from the shortest format of the game after lifting the title. He will eye to defend their trophy during the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will commence in June 2026. The tournament will be played in India and this will be the second time India will be hosting the tournament. This will be the rare occasions where several icon players will be missing the event due to retirement and youngsters will take charge. For example Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja will not be seen in the competition.

As the T20 fever is catching pace, former India cricketer, Ambati Rayudu, picked his top 3 T20 batters of all time. Ambati picker India captain Rohit Sharma as the first batsman. In the second position, he opted Mr.360, AB De Villiers and in the third spot he kept India’s current T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. While both Rohit and De Villiers have retired from the format, Suryakumar is still going strong leading India successfully in the format.

See Also: Jasprit Bumrah to be rested for Asia Cup 2025? Former India captain sparks debate

Stats concerning Ambati Rayudu’s batter picks

It is worth noting that Rohit Sharma has played  159 T20Is and has scored 4261 runs with the help of five centeries and 32 half centuries. He has done this at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 141.3. His highest score in their format is 121. On the other hand, De Villiers has played 78 T20Is and has scored 1672 runs with the help of 10 half centuries and an unbeaten 79 as the highest score.

Speaking of Suryakumar Yadav, the India captain has played 83 T20Is and has batted in 79 innings. He has scored 2598 runs at an average of around 30. He has scored four centuries up until now and he has a highest score or 117 runs. He also holds the record for scoring second most runs in a calendar year. He has also won the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award in 2022 and was named in the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has played a major role in shaping the success of players and franchises over its 18-year journey. Known for unearthing fresh talent each season, the tournament has become a global spectacle, growing in all dimensions from on-field action to commentary and broadcasting. With the rise of social media, its glam quotient has only increased. However, controversies often make their way into the IPL. Former cricketer Ambati Rayudu recently revealed one such incident involving Kevin Pietersen after the IPL 2024 final.

Speaking on a podcast, Rayudu recalled how Pietersen, during a live post-match discussion, referred to him as a “Joker” on-air. This remark soon became a hot topic of conversation, given the stature of both players and the public nature of the incident. Rayudu, however, chose to clarify the matter during the podcast, explaining the context of the event while also highlighting how such moments can easily be blown out of proportion when aired live on television.

See Also: Watch: Virat Kohli’s cover drives capturing 17 years legacy

Despite the controversy, former India player didn’t shy away from giving a witty response to Pietersen. He expressed his delight over Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally winning their maiden IPL title after 18 years, cheekily reminding Pietersen of his long stint with the franchise without success. He admitted that he could have said much more in the moment but preferred restraint. Eventually, Pietersen realised his mistake, accepted responsibility, and offered an apology, putting an end to the heated episode in a respectful manner.

IPL had several controveries in the past

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has never been short of controversies since its inception with eight teams, later expanding due to its massive success. One of the most talked-about moments came during Ravichandran Ashwin’s infamous “Mankading” incident in a clash between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab. Jos Buttler, then batting in top form, stepped out of the non-striker’s crease, only for Ashwin to whip off the bails without hesitation. The dismissal sparked outrage and divided opinions, becoming one of the most debated moments in IPL history.

Another high-profile controversy occurred in IPL 2013, when Yusuf Pathan became the first player to be ruled out for “obstructing the field.” During a Kolkata Knight Riders versus Pune Warriors India clash, Pathan struck the ball straight to a fielder and ran but instinctively blocked the ball with his hand. The opposition appealed, and after video review, the third umpire declared him out. This decision triggered debates on whether his action was deliberate or instinctive. With social media amplifying reactions, such incidents, including Rayudu’s spat with Kevin Pietersen, continue fueling discussions far beyond the cricket field.

Former Indian cricketer and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ambati Rayudu recently shared his thoughts on a well-known incident involving MS Dhoni during the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL). The moment took place during a tense match between CSK and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

The incident occurred when Dhoni, visibly upset over a no-ball decision, walked onto the field from the dugout to confront the umpires. It was an unusual move, especially from someone known for his calm demeanor. The incident quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of that IPL season.

Rayudu reflected on the situation, stating that Dhoni’s reaction came purely out of his passion and desire to win for the team. He mentioned that while the approach was unexpected, it showed how deeply Dhoni cared about the game and his commitment to standing up for what he felt was right.

See Also: ‘Yash Dhull even threw the ball toward’- Harshit Rana opens up about heated clash with Bangladesh in 2023 Emerging Asia Cup

Ambati Rayudu Recalls Intense Moment of MS Dhoni During Match Against RR:

During the final moments of a thrilling IPL match, veteran wicketkeeper MS Dhoni was visibly angry over a controversial no-ball call. In a rare and unexpected moment, he walked onto the field to question the on-field umpires, surprising fans and players alike.

Ambati Rayudu was recently asked about his thoughts during that intense moment. Sharing his reaction with a touch of humor, he recalled the incident in a light-hearted way. He joked that he was closely watching Dhoni, waiting for a signal from the CSK captain. He said if Dhoni had raised his hand, he would’ve rushed onto the field too.

On the JioHotstar show, he said, “ Bas yehi soch rahe the ki Mahi bhai bas haath uthaye aur hum log phir bhaage maarne ke liye (We were waiting for MS Dhoni to raise his hand so that we too could run into the ground to fight).”

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) eventually won the closely fought match by four wickets, despite the intense drama. Following the controversial no-ball incident, MS Dhoni was fined 50% of his match fee for breaching the IPL’s Code of Conduct. He accepted the Level Two offence, marking a rare instance where the usually composed captain showed visible frustration on the field.

During the same show, Ambati Rayudu also shared his thoughts on a humorous remark made by Dhoni about him in relation to the Fair Play award. The moment added a light-hearted touch to the conversation, highlighting the strong camaraderie between the former teammates.

Rayudu Talked About Dhoni’s Advice to Him:

Rayudu shared that MS Dhoni used to remind him to concentrate on his batting and avoid signaling wides to the umpire. Dhoni preferred players to stay focused on their game rather than reacting to decisions. Rayudu found this advice both amusing and insightful during their time together.

He further said, “ There was no DRS or Hawk-Eye for wide or no-ball at that time, so we would only tell the umpire that it was a wide or a no-ball. He used to tell me just one thing, 'Batting kar magar haath mat faila. Mere fairplay ke point nikal jayenge. (Just bat, don't raise your arms. I will lose fairplay points.)'. However, that same year, he went into the field. We didn't lose the fairplay award because of me.”

Chennai Super Kings ended the season as runners-up after a narrow loss to Mumbai Indians in the final. The match was closely contested, and CSK fell short by just one run, making it one of the most thrilling and heartbreaking finishes in IPL history for the team.

Shubman Gill and his team are getting ready for one last challenge as they take on England in the IND vs ENG 5th Test at Kennington Oval, London. The match will start at 3:30 PM on Thursday. This is a must-win game for India to level the series 2-2 and avoid losing another overseas tour.

Meanwhile, during the tour, former batter Ambati Rayudu took part in a challenge on ESPNcricinfo where he blind-ranked former Indian captains. Surprisingly, he did not include big names like Kapil Dev and Virat Kohli in his top three.

Also Read -WATCH: Yashasvi Jaiswal trapped LBW by Gus Atkinson early on Day 1 of ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Rayudu Picks Dhoni as No. 1

Rayudu first ranked Sourav Ganguly, placing him at number three. Ganguly is known for changing the way Team India played cricket. After that, Rayudu placed Kapil Dev, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, in fourth place.

Former T20I and Test captain Rohit Sharma was ranked second and made it to Rayudu's top three. He then placed Virat Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain, in fifth position. Rayudu added that Kohli’s ranking depends on the format and said that if it was only for Tests, Kohli would be in the top two. Mohammad Azharuddin was ranked sixth.

The last name that appeared was MS Dhoni, whom Rayudu ranked at number one. He said he had kept the top spot empty, hoping Dhoni’s name would come. Dhoni is the only Indian captain to win three ICC trophies – the T20 World Cup, the ODI World Cup, and the Champions Trophy.

Not one person did NOT see that coming 😄 pic.twitter.com/IP7p4Qc95y

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 31, 2025

India Look to End Series on a High in 5th Test at The Oval

After starting the series with a loss, India made a strong comeback with a historic win at Edgbaston. However, they lost the next match at Lord’s. Now, India will hope to take the positive energy from the drawn Manchester Test into the final match at The Oval.

England have already announced their playing XI for the IND vs ENG 5th Test, making four changes. Ben Stokes, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, and Brydon Carse have been left out. On the other hand, India made four changes to their playing XI. Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Karun Nair, and Prasidh Krishna came in place of Rishabh Pant, Anshul Kamboj, Shardul Thakur, and Jasprit Bumrah.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has experienced 18 seasons, where eight different teams have won the trophy, including multiple trophy successes for Mumbai Indians (5 times), Chennai Super Kings (5 times), and Kolkata Knight Riders (3 times). There are some players who have celebrated the trophy several times. 

Here, we have brought the names of the players with four or more IPL trophies. 

See Also: Top 5 players to receive the most POTM awards in the IPL

Lasith Malinga - 4 IPL trophies

Former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga recorded four IPL trophy successes. Serving for Mumbai Indians, Malinga won IPL trophies in the 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 seasons. 

Ravindra Jadeja - 4 IPL trophies

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has celebrated four IPL trophy successes for two different teams. After becoming a crucial member of the inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals (2008), Jadeja won his last three IPL trophies for Chennai Super Kings (2018, 2021, and 2023). 

Krunal Pandya - 4 IPL trophies

Indian cricketer Krunal Pandya has also won four IPL trophies. After celebrating his first three IPL trophies for Mumbai Indians (2017, 2019, and 2020), he recently won his fourth IPL trophy (IPL 2025) for his new IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Kieron Pollard - 5 IPL trophies

Former Caribbean cricketer Kieron Pollard holds the record for most IPL trophies by an overseas cricketer with five IPL trophies. Pollard lifted all his IPL trophies for Mumbai Indians, and those years were 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

MS Dhoni - 5 IPL trophies

Chennai Super Kings legend MS Dhoni was the second captain to win five IPL trophies. MS Dhoni-led CSK won the IPL title in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. He was the first captain to defend the IPL title (2010 and 2011). 

Hardik Pandya - 5 IPL trophies

Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya, the younger brother of Krunal Pandya, has already celebrated with five IPL trophies, including once as a captain. Serving for Mumbai Indians, the all-rounder lifted four IPL trophies in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Later, leading the Gujarat Titans, Pandya lifted his fifth IPL trophy, which was also the team's debut season. 

Rohit Sharma - 6 IPL trophies

Rohit Sharma was the first cricketer to win six IPL trophies, as well as the first captain to win five IPL trophies. After winning his first IPL trophy for Deccan Chargers in 2009, Rohit led Mumbai Indians to win the IPL trophies in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. 

Ambani Rayudu - 6 IPL trophies

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu also won six IPL trophies, three for Mumbai Indians and three for Chennai Super Kings. He is the only player to win at least two IPL trophies for two different teams. Rayudu won his first three IPL trophies for Mumbai Indians in the 2013, 2015, and 2017 seasons. Later, serving for Chennai Super Kings, he celebrated IPL trophies in the 2018, 2021, and 2023 seasons. 

List of players with most IPL trophies

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has subsequently made an emotional appeal to Virat Kohli, asking him to reconsider his reported decision to stop playing Test cricket. Lara, who is considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time, explained that Kohli's role could be significant for the future of the longest format. Kohli, who is ranked number four for runs scored as an active Test player, has been considering retirement after India's recent disappointments.

Lara, the record holder of the highest individual Test score (400*), came out in support of Kohli in an Instagram post on Saturday, May 10. He posted an image of his chat with the Indian sensation during the current season of IPL, writing alongside it a powerful message: "Test cricket needs Virat!! He is going to be persuaded." He IS NOT retiring from Test cricket." Lara also confidently forecast that Kohli would average more than 60 in the remaining part of his Test career.

This development comes just days after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the format on May 7. Kohli’s Test performances since 2020 have not been on par with his earlier standards. In his last 69 innings, he has scored 2028 runs at an average of 30.72, managing just three centuries. This contrasts sharply with his earlier record of 7202 runs at an average of 54.97, which included 27 centuries.

 

 

 

 

 

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Also read:  Former England Captain slams ECB for prioritising IPL over Test matches for Jacob Bethell

Calls for Kohli to Continue in Test Cricket Intensify

Kohli's recent dip in form was highlighted during a recent trip to Australia for the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he scored 190 runs in 9 innings, including a century in the first match. India lost the series 3-1, surrendering the prestigious trophy to Australia after a decade of dominance. Kohli also struggled in the home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, contributing modest scores.

Piling on the pressure along with Lara's request for Kohli to continue playing, retired CSK and India batsman Ambati Rayudu issued an emotional appeal on X (Twitter). "Virat Kohli, please don't retire. The Indian team needs you more than ever. You have so much more in the tank. Test cricket will not be the same without you."

India's next Test series gets underway June 20 in England, which launches the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.