Former chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has ignited a debate surrounding the ODI selections of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming series against Australia. Vengsarkar's primary concern revolves around the justification for selecting players who primarily participate in only one format of the game. He questions how the selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, are evaluating the form and fitness of Sharma and Kohli, given their limited recent exposure to competitive cricket.
Vengsarkar, a veteran of 116 Test matches, argues that judging a player's fitness and form becomes challenging when they are not consistently playing across all formats. Both Sharma and Kohli last played an ODI in March 2025 during the Champions Trophy final win against New Zealand. Vengsarkar suggests that their selection might be based more on their past records rather than current form and fitness.
"Rohit and Virat have been great players over the years, but if you are playing just one format of the game, I believe the selectors need to take a call on this," Vengsarkar stated. "I feel you cannot know or judge the form and fitness of such players because they've had a long layoff after the last game they have played. It's very difficult to assess their form and fitness".
Adding to the controversy, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has stated that Sharma and Kohli need to play domestic cricket when they are free to "keep themselves sharp". He also pointed out that their continued selection hinges on scoring runs in the upcoming ODIs. This stance has been criticized as hypocritical, considering that some players have been selected for the ODI team without significant recent performances in the domestic circuit.
Vengsarkar seems to advocate for prioritizing players who are available for all formats of the game, hinting that Agarkar and the selection committee should be forward-thinking in their approach to Indian cricket. He lauded the decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the ODI captain, acknowledging Gill's potential as an all-format player. "Gill is a very good all-format player," Vengsarkar said. "Actually, when you pick a captain, you first pick the team and then you pick the best available guy to lead the side. And I think Gill is the best person to lead the side in ODIs and Test matches because he is also good in T20s".
The selection dilemma surrounding Sharma and Kohli highlights a broader debate about the future direction of Indian cricket. While their experience and past achievements are undeniable, their sporadic appearances in the ODI format raise questions about their current suitability and the opportunities being afforded to other players. Agarkar's committee faces the challenge of balancing loyalty to senior players with the need to build a team for the future, keeping in mind the 2027 World Cup.
The upcoming ODI series against Australia will be crucial for Sharma and Kohli to prove their continued relevance in the 50-over format. Their performance will not only determine their immediate future in the team but also influence the selectors' long-term vision for Indian cricket.
