As India’s ODI setup begins its next cycle leading up to the 2027 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has conveyed a message to both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to feature in the domestic circuit if they wish to remain in contention for the national ODI team. While Rohit has confirmed his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kohli has yet to inform the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) of his participation.
Following India’s ODI series against Australia, where both veterans featured in all three games, discussions within the BCCI and the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar centred around the importance of match fitness and game time. With both players having retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup and from Test cricket after the 2024–25 tour of Australia, their limited participation in competitive matches has raised questions about their future international fixtures.
“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 BCCI told The Indian Express.
Rohit Sharma expresses willingness to play SMAT
The Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier 50-over domestic tournament, is scheduled to begin on December 24, and it is seen as the ideal platform for the two senior cricketers to prove their form and fitness ahead of the home ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026.
Rohit has reportedly informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) of his availability for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. In fact, he has also expressed willingness to participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), India’s domestic T20 tournament starting November 26. However, given his likely involvement in the India-South Africa ODI series starting November 30 in Ranchi, his participation in SMAT is uncertain.
Having last featured in the domestic one-day circuit several years ago, his return to play for Mumbai is expected to draw immense attention. He has also been training regularly at Mumbai’s Sharad Pawar indoor academy. The 38-year-old enjoyed a fine run in the recent ODI series against Australia, where he scored a fifty and an unbeaten century, earning the Player of the Series award. His performances also helped him reclaim the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings.
While Rohit has committed to playing for Mumbai, Kohli’s availability for Delhi remains uncertain. According to reports, the former Indian captain, who currently spends most of his time in London, has yet to inform the DDCA about his participation. Kohli last appeared in the Vijay Hazare Trophy back in February 2010, when he captained Delhi against Services, a team that also included then-teammates Mithun Manhas and Shikhar Dhawan.
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