The future of veteran cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in One Day International (ODI) cricket has become a topic of speculation within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). While some in the BCCI prioritize India A games to assess their form and fitness, the participation of Kohli and Sharma in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is seemingly less emphasized. This decision ultimately rests with Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the selection committee.
Recent reports suggested that Kohli and Rohit's ODI careers might be nearing their end, possibly after the tour of Australia in October. To prolong their careers until the 2027 ODI World Cup, it was indicated that they would need to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's domestic List A tournament, to prove their match readiness and remain in contention for selection. However, a BCCI source has dismissed these speculations, stating that the board's current focus is on the upcoming Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup preparations.
The source clarified that if Kohli and Rohit have any plans regarding their future, they would communicate it to the BCCI, as they did before the England Test tour. The BCCI is not in a hurry to make a decision about their future, considering their significant fan base and the team's ongoing priorities. The next ODI assignment for India is an away series against Australia in October.
Kohli and Rohit last played for India in the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Since the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL), neither player has participated in competitive cricket. Kohli, who now resides in London, recently shared an Instagram story of an indoor nets session, indicating that he has commenced training. Rohit, after spending a break in the UK post-IPL, has returned to Mumbai and is expected to begin training soon.
While there were rumors of the BCCI offering the duo a farewell game in Sydney on October 25, a BCCI source has refuted these claims, stating that no such discussions have taken place.
Regarding the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the national One-Day Championship is scheduled to begin on December 24, 2025. Prior to that, India will play a three-match ODI series at home against South Africa, starting November 30. In between the Australia ODIs and the South Africa ODIs, there will be an India A series against South Africa A, featuring three List A games in Rajkot on November 13, 16, and 19. The decision of whether Kohli and Rohit will participate in these A games before the South Africa series remains to be seen and is dependent on the selectors. The Vijay Hazare Trophy will overlap with the three ODIs between India and New Zealand in January 2026.
