The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has a clear message for the Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. If the senior duo wish to continue playing ODIs for India, they should play domestic One-Dayers.
Rohit and Kohli recently featured in the three-ODI series against Australia, their first international appearance since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As they have retired from T20Is and Tests, the board wants them to represent their respective state sides in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
“The board and team management have conveyed to both of them that they will have to play domestic cricket if they want to play for India. As they both have retired from two formats, they have to play domestic cricket to be match-fit,” sources in the board told The Indian Express.
The report also suggests that Rohit has informed Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) that he may make himself available for the Syed Mushtaq Ai T20 tournament which will commence on November 26. The T20 World Cup 2024-winning captain has been training at Sharad Pawar indoor academy in Mumbai. On the other hand, Kohli has been living in London, training there but not playing any domestic cricket.
The duo’s last domestic appearance was earlier this year in Ranji Trophy. They retired from Tests ahead of the England tour after a long-awaited return to Ranji Trophy.
Gambhir, Agarkar have similar opinion on domestic cricket
Chairman of selection committee Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have been clear that they want players to play domestic cricket whenever they have a break from international cricket. Recently, India’s Test stars featured in the unofficial Test series against South Africa A ahead of the two-Test series against Temba Bavuma’s men.
The window where Rohit, Kohli can play Vijay Hazare Trophy
Rohit and Kohli are expected to be back in action when India take on South Africa in the three-ODI series at home starting on November 30 at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi.
After the ODI series against South Africa, Rohit and Kohli will have the window of opportunity to play Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 which is scheduled to begin on December 24.
If Rohit and Kohli decide to play One-Day domestic cricket, they will be joining the India camp after a few games as the ODI series against New Zealand begins on January 11, 2026. It will mean that they will not be available for Vijay Hazare knockout games and the final if their respective teams gets past the group stages.