Speculation grows over Kohli and Rohit’s ODI future as India A fixtures take priority, limiting their Vijay Hazare Trophy appearances.

BCCI’s Dilemma Over Kohli and Rohit’s ODI Preparations

With India’s England tour concluded and no international matches until the Asia Cup next month in the UAE, speculation has risen about the ODI futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. A media report suggested their international careers could end in October unless they participate in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy to remain in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

However, a PTI report indicated that a section within the BCCI is more interested in seeing the pair play India A 50-over matches rather than the Vijay Hazare Trophy, as the latter is unlikely to feature them due to an overlapping international schedule.

Kohli and Rohit retired from T20Is in June 2024 after India’s World Cup win in Barbados and announced their retirement from Tests earlier this year, making ODIs their only active international format. They were expected to return against Bangladesh in March, but the series was cancelled.

India’s next ODI assignment is an away series against Australia from October 19–25. Before that, some BCCI members want them to prepare by playing India A matches against Australia A in Kanpur on September 30, October 3, and October 5 — dates that coincide with India’s Test against the West Indies.

Why Kohli and Rohit won’t be able to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?

A Dainik Jagran report on Monday indicated that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may have to play domestic cricket to remain in contention for India’s ODI squad and stay match-ready. However, the scheduling makes it complicated. Before the Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24, both players will already have featured in six ODIs — three each against Australia and South Africa.

Between these two series, India A are set to face South Africa A in three List A matches in Rajkot on November 13, 16, and 19. According to a BCCI source quoted by PTI, “The question is whether the duo will choose to play those A games, or possibly two of them, before the South Africa series. More important is whether Ajit Agarkar and his fellow selectors will want that.”

The Vijay Hazare Trophy (December 24, 2025 – January 18, 2026) will also overlap with India’s three ODIs against New Zealand on January 11, 14, and 18. As a result, even if Kohli and Rohit decide to participate in the domestic List A event, their involvement would be limited to two or three matches at most. The final call on their participation rests with the BCCI selection committee.