Why Virat Kohli’s Coach Rajkumar Sharma Will Attend IND vs ENG 3rd ODI? Is He Retiring?

Virat Kohli and his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma [Source: X]

The 2027 World Cup is knocking at the door, and the Indian men’s senior national team is currently in Europe to play England in a white-ball series. As Gautam Gambhir’s men are at it, a recent development regarding Virat Kohli has gained massive momentum.

Apparently, Virat Kohli’s ODI retirement rumours have flared up on the internet after the possibility of his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma being almost secured. 

As per a podcast of Beyond the Boundary, Rajkumar will attend the 3rd ODI game of India vs England, where Kohli is set to play, adding to the drama around his retirement rumours.

Virat Kohli Struggling With Injury After IPL 2026

Kohli, who has been at his peak cricket form in both ODIs and T20 cricket in recent times, does not have any technical hindrance that might force him into retirement. 

For the unaware, the Indian batting legend had earlier retired from the Test and T20I formats of the game in 2025 and expressed his desire to be satisfied with his career.

It is only the ODI format that Kohli is currently striding with, and almost a year after his two-format retirement, Kohli seems to be in peak athletic form with only a recent injury getting in his way.

Virat Kohli suffered from a right hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 Final. That left him out of a much-anticipated India vs Afghanistan ODI series return. 

While fans expected him to return in the blue, he is currently rehabilitating and practising with Sanjay Bangar to get back in shape ahead of July 14. 

The India star’s setback has still kept him on the sidelines as he has to pass a fitness test to get a green light from CoE for the England series.

The Virat Kohli ODI Retirement Rumour Ahead Of 2027 World Cup

As per a recent discussion on the internet by TOI journalists, Kohli’s childhood coach and his close friend and Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) director Shyam Sharma might be attending the 3rd ODI match at Lord’s.

“Rajkumar Sharma is attending the 3rd ODI. DDCA director Shyam Sharma will join him too in the match. It was decided during the One8 launch event. Shyam is still in London promoting One8,” the panellists shared. 

This development has now drawn several eyes to the matter. With Kohli expected to feature in the third ODI against England, the presence of his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has sparked massive speculation. 

Indian Cricket 🏏

@navshar54008403

This is the reason.

Jul 2, 2026, 7:51 PM

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Fans Speculate Kohli's ODI Retirement 

Given the close bond they share, some fans believe Kohli may have informed his mentor of his plans in advance, allowing Sharma the opportunity to watch his student play one last ODI if this indeed turns out to be his farewell.

Further fan suspicion is caused by the expected presence of Shyam Sharma, another close associate of Kohli. The possibility of both figures attending the match now subtly hints at the fact that the Lord's ODI could be the last dance for Kohli’s ODI career.

However, reports also suggest that Rajkumar Sharma and Shyam Sharma could attend the second India vs England ODI in Cardiff as well. 

Is Virat Kohli Really Retiring From ODIs?

Kohli has won the IPL trophy two times with his team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and the T20 World Cup in 2024 as well, alongside a Champions Trophy and many other ICC events. 

He has also been a part of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win; however, that was during a very early stage of his career. At 37, Kohli might as well long for the trophy once again, especially when it is only after a few months of waiting. 

Virat Kohli is currently at the peak of his form. In 2026, he has played 3 matches, and from all of these 3 ODIs, he averages 80.00 while bagging 240 runs. In 2025, too, he maintained an average of 65.10 from 13 matches, further underlining his superiority in the format. 

With peak form by his side and undeniable consistency, despite the transition phase of the Indian cricket team, it is very unlikely that Kohli will be retiring after the India vs England 3rd ODI.

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