Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma future in ODI cricket is again under discussion. With India having no matches until the Asia Cup in the UAE next month, reports suggest the BCCI wants the pair to play India A games rather than the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
India A Matches to Take Priority
According to a PTI report, there is a “school of thought in the BCCI” that favours India A 50-over fixtures for both senior batters. The reason is the Vijay Hazare Trophy’s overlap with upcoming international commitments.
Kohli and Rohit stepped away from T20Is after India’s World Cup victory in Barbados last June. They also retired from Test cricket in May this year, making ODIs their only active international format.
The pair was supposed to return during the Bangladesh series, but that tour was cancelled. India’s next ODI series is against Australia from October 19-25. Before then, BCCI officials reportedly want them to feature in India A matches against Australia A in Kanpur on September 30, October 3 and October 5, which will clash with the senior side’s Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad.
Limited Scope for Vijay Hazare Trophy Participation
A Dainik Jagran report stated that playing domestic cricket is essential for Kohli and Rohit to remain ready for the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, a BCCI source told PTI, “Even if they play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, they would have already played six ODIs before that. Between the Australia and South Africa ODI series, there is an India A series against South Africa A with three List A games (50 overs) at Rajkot on November 13, 16, and 19.”
The official further added, “Now, the question is whether the duo will want to play those three A games, or possibly two, before the South Africa series. Even more important is whether Ajit Agarkar and his colleagues would want that.”
The Vijay Hazare Trophy runs from December 24, 2025 to January 18, 2026. The source explained, “Overlapping with the Vijay Hazare Trophy (December 24, 2025 – January 18, 2026) are the three ODIs between India and New Zealand (January 11, 14, 18). So even if they play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, it can’t be for more than two to three games.”
With a packed schedule ahead, the BCCI appears focused on ensuring the two ODI stalwarts gain match practice in a competitive environment before key international series.
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