BCCI to hold meeting on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's ODI future after South Africa series - Reports

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are keen to participate in ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to hold a review meeting with the top officials, including the head of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, and head coach Gautam Gambhir. The meeting is set to take place after the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa.

Most importantly, the meeting will have the discussion on the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODIs, considering ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. After retiring from the other two formats, these two stalwarts are active only in 50-over cricket for India.

They recently made their comeback in Indian colours during India’s white-ball tour of Australia in October, which saw them back playing for India after a big gap of seven months. However, India lost the series 1-2 Down Under. The only positive out of the series was Rohit Sharma being among runs and winning Player of The Series award. Despite that, the team management isn’t happy with how the senior duo played for the side in the ODI series, according to a report in the Times of India.

Notably, Rohit scored over 200 runs in the series, while Kohli registered two ducks in first two games before scoring a match-winning half-century in the third ODI in Sydney.

BCCI will hold a review meeting on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI feature

The review meeting is set to be held in Ahmedabad next week after the conclusion of the ODI series. Rohit and Virat will feature in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting on Sunday. These three games will be played on November 30 and October 3 and 6 in Ranchi, Raipur, and Visakhapatnam respectively.

As reported by TOI, the BCCI wants to identify the backup for two seniors in case they can’t make it to the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027.

A BCCI source told TOI, “It is very important that players of Rohit and Kohli’s stature are given clarity about what is expected of them and how the current management views their roles. They can’t just be playing with uncertainty.”

The report further states that the BCCI has asked Rohit to focus on his fitness and avoid any questions on his future. The management wants Rohit to play in his aggressive style, like he did as ODI captain. In Australia, he scored runs, but he was taking his time and was avoiding risks.

“It is expected that he continues to lead by example as a fearless batter at the top of the order. The conditions were tough in Australia but it did look like he was avoiding taking risks. Both are expected to lead the batting to make it easier for the rest of the younger batters around them,” the source further added.

As the two are only active in ODIs, the lack of game time is another worry for the management. After the ODI series against South Africa, India have three ODIs in January against New Zealand. After that, India will play their next ODI in July against England.

Hence, the management would want the duo to take part in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy (CHT) scheduled for next month and keep active in competitive cricket. With India having only six ODIs to play for the next 6-7 months, the BCCI wants the duo to keep focus on their fitness.

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