Indian cricket may be preparing for a new era under Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar, but Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have reminded the world why they remain two of the greatest icons the game has ever seen.
Their majestic unbeaten partnership — Rohit’s 121 off 125* and Kohli’s 74 off 81* — in the final ODI at Sydney wasn’t just another win for India; it was a grand farewell performance that moved fans to tears and sent shockwaves across the cricketing world.
As emotional crowds filled the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), waving the Indian tricolor, chants of “Ro-Hit! Koh-Li!” echoed through the night. Many fans knew deep down — this might be the last time the legendary duo played international cricket in Australia.
But while India begins to plan its future without them, foreign T20 and franchise leagues are already making moves to bring the two icons into their fold once they step away from national duties.
Recently, Ravichandran Ashwin joined the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, becoming the first major Indian player to do so — and according to reports, Rohit and Kohli could be the next big targets.
However, for that to happen, leagues like the BBL will have to match or exceed their massive IPL contracts, making it a high-stakes race among global cricket markets.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg confirmed that conversations are already underway.
Speaking to the media, he said: In the short to medium term, it’s realistic. Ravi Ashwin’s inclusion is a huge moment for the BBL. It shows the value of Indian players in global cricket.
The world’s best leagues deserve the world’s best players — and the BBL should be no exception.”
He also hinted that Cricket Australia is exploring private investment in the league to attract big names like Kohli and Rohit — both seen as game-changers who could boost global viewership and sponsorship.
The atmosphere at the SCG that night was electric. Fans lined up for hours before the game, hoping to catch a final glimpse of their heroes.
Every catch by Rohit and every throw by Kohli during warm-ups drew loud cheers. Even after the match, hundreds waited outside the stadium to see them leave.
For context, Kohli and Rohit’s impact in Australia has been staggering.
Since Rohit’s first appearance there 17 years ago, the pair have featured in 81 men’s internationals across eight bilateral tours and two World Cups, scoring 18 centuries (Kohli 12, Rohit 6) and nearly 6,000 runs combined. In fact, Kohli’s tally of 3,690 runs in Australia even surpasses local hero Travis Head’s 3,540.
Speaking after the match, Rohit Sharma told Fox Cricket’ve always loved playing in Australia.
This place has given me so many memories — good and bad. If this is the last one, it’s been a beautiful journey.”
Kohli too reflected on their legendary partnership, saying: W When we bat together, we know what the other is thinking. From 2013 onwards, we’ve always believed that if we stay in for 20 overs, no total is safe for the opposition.”
Fans and former players alike described the moment as the end of an era — two cricketing giants, side by side, walking off the field after yet another match-winning stand.
As cricket.com.au noted, “Every major T20 league in the world now wants to be the first to sign Kohli and Rohit.” For now, both remain committed to Indian cricket — but with Test and T20 retirements behind them, and ODI careers nearing closure, their next innings might just be global.
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