BCCI tells Kohli, Rohit to play domestic one-day matches to keep chances alive for India ODI team
If two of India’s recent cricket icons have to stay in the team, they will have to go through the domestic grind. This is the message from the Indian board for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both stepped down from Tests and T20 Internationals in 2024, but continue to play for India in One-Day Internationals. The first step in this direction could possibly be a Vijay Hazare Trophy game on December 24. This is the only one-day game on the domestic calendar between the three-ODI series against South Africa from December 3-9 and another one against New Zealand from January 11, both at home. According to The Indian Express, Rohit has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that he will be available to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but there is no clarity yet on Virat’s availability. Kohli (37) and Rohit (38) last featured in the ODI series in Australia last month, where they went on to join hands for a winning partnership in the final game. While Rohit starred in two of the three games, hitting a hundred in the third match, Kohli bounced back from two ducks to hit an unbeaten 87. “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. Rohit and Kohli retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup, and called time on their Test careers after the 2024-25 tour of Australia. Rohit is learnt to have informed the MCA that he might even be available for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament scheduled to start on November 26. He has been practising at Mumbai’s Sharad Pawar indoor academy. The Indian board is also hoping to see Kohli, who lives in London these days, play domestic cricket.
‘Retirement of Ro-Ro will totally depend on their decision’: Rajiv Shukla
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla dismissed speculation that the upcoming ODI series against Australia would be the last One-Day international appearance of India’s last two iconic batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While speaking to ANI after India registered a Test series victory against West Indies, Shukla said, “As far as this being their last series is concerned, it is nothing like that. We should never get involved in these things. It is up to the players when they will retire. To say this would be their last series is absolutely wrong.” Rohit and Virat have been selected for the Australia tour with the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in mind. However, the promotion of Shubman Gill to ODI captaincy and the recent performances of new players like Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Tilak Verma in the India-A series against Australia have prompted discussions about the future roles of Rohit and Virat. The emergence of these players raises questions about how team selection dynamics could change as Rohit and Virat, who will be 40 and 39 respectively by the 2027 tournament, approach the later stages of their careers. Shukla added, “Inclusion of Rohit and Virat in the team is always an advantage as both of them are great batsmen, and in the presence of both of them, I think we will be successful in defeating Australia.” Rohit is India’s fourth-highest ODI run-scorer, with over 11,000 runs, an average of nearly 49, and 32 centuries. In eight ODIs this year, he has one century and one fifty. Virat ranks second for India in ODI runs, with over 14,000 runs, averaging nearly 58, and 51 centuries. This year, he has scored one century and two fifties in seven ODIs. Both will be in action during the ODIs in Australia, starting from 19th October, having retired from Tests and T20Is and now being exclusively ODI players.
Report says Rohit retired due to pressure from selectors, BCCI didn’t persuade Kohli
Former India cricket team Test captain Rohit Sharma was forced to retire as he was under pressure from the selectors, a Times of India report has revealed. The Hitman took everyone by surprise by abruptly retiring from the longest format of the game last week. In what was another blow to India, Virat Kohli also followed the former’s footsteps and decided to step away from Tests as well. According to TOI report, the selectors weren’t in favor of taking Rohit to England, which prompted him to announce his retirement. The report states that the selectors weren’t sure about his spot in the side after he informed them that he would only play a couple of Tests in the series. Brushing aside reports of the BCCI asking a former cricketer to convince Virat to reconsider his decision, the source claimed that no such move was made by the BCCI. Echoing earlier reports, the source claimed that Kohli’s move to retire abruptly was his decision alone. But despite their retirement from Test, both Rohit and Kohli will now only be active in ODIs. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the duo’s Grade+ contract will continue.
