BCCI asks Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to play in Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma agrees - Reports

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will next play for India in the ODI series against South Africa.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked senior Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play domestic cricket if they want to play for Indian Cricket Team, according to reports by The Indian Express. Having already retired from T20 internationals and test cricket, the senior Indian cricketers are only active in ODI cricket. Hence, they have been asked to play in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, which will help them stay match fit. The Indian domestic 50-over tournament will start on December 24.

The reports also suggest that Rohit has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that he will be available for this year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, however, there is no clarity on Kohli’s availability so far. The report further added that Rohit, who has already retired from T20I cricket, has informed the MCA that me might even be available for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is India’s domestic T20 tournament.

Last month, India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar had stressed the need for national players to play in domestic cricket. Agarkar said that whenever players are available, they should play in domestic cricket. Earlier this year, Rohit and Kohli played for Mumbai and Delhi respectively in the Ranji Trophy. However, later, they called it quits from red-ball cricket.

BCCI urges Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play domestic cricket

BCCI sources informed that the board has conveyed to both the batting legends to play in domestic cricket if they want to keep playing for the national side.

“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,” BCCI sources told The Indian Express.

Rohit and Kohli, who have announced their retirement from T20Is and tests, are only active in ODI format. Their next focus is to play for India in ICC ODI World Cup 2027. They are now gearing up for the ODI series against South Africa, scheduled to commence on November 30 in Ranchi.

Last month, they were part of the ODI series against Australia. Smacking a half-century and a century, Rohit was adjudged Player of the Series. Kohli initially struggled with back-to-back ducks in the first two games, however, he later bounced back with an unbeaten half-century in the third game in Sydney. In the encounter, Rohit and Kohli etched an 168-run unbeaten stand to propel India to victory by nine wickets.

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