.jpeg "Featured Image")
Uncertainty surrounds the international future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Recent reports have sparked speculation about the potential end of their ODI careers after October. According to these reports, if the veteran Indian cricketers wish to remain in contention for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic 50-over competition, might be a necessity.
However, a fresh update from PTI suggests that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials are more focused on Kohli and Rohit’s availability for India A games, rather than their participation in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Their involvement in the Vijay Hazare championship appears improbable due to its likely conflict with India’s international schedule.
A BCCI source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that even if they were to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, they would have already played six ODIs prior. An India A series against South Africa A, featuring three List A games (50 overs) in Rajkot on November 13, 16, and 19, is scheduled between the Australia and South Africa ODI series.
Both Rohit and Kohli have progressively decreased their international commitments. Following their T20 World Cup victory in Barbados last summer, the duo announced their retirement from T20Is. This year in May, they also retired from Tests, just before India’s tour of England, leaving ODIs as their sole format in international cricket.
The source added that the key question is whether the pair will want to participate in those three, or potentially two, A games before the South Africa series. An even more crucial question is whether Ajit Agarkar and his colleagues would prefer this.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy overlaps with the three ODIs between India and New Zealand (January 11, 14, 18), from December 24, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Even if they were to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, their participation would likely be limited to just two or three games.
India’s upcoming ODI series is against Australia, from October 19 to 25. Before that series, some BCCI members are reportedly keen for Kohli and Rohit to play a couple of India A games to refine their match fitness. These matches are planned in Kanpur on September 30, October 3, and October 5, coinciding with India’s Test series against the West Indies in Ahmedabad.
The Australia A team, including promising players such as Jake Fraser-McGurk, will tour India for the same.
Dainik Jagran reported that the experienced batsmen need to stay active in domestic cricket to remain on the selectors’ radar. However, they are already scheduled to play in six ODIs – three each against Australia and South Africa before the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which begins on December 24. Additionally, India’s ongoing ODI tour of New Zealand in January is likely to coincide with the domestic List A competition, further complicating their availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
