BCCI pushes senior stars toward domestic cricket
The future of India’s two biggest ODI names has taken a sharper turn, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India making it clear that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma must return to domestic one-day cricket if they want to continue representing the country. The directive comes as the pair, now retired from Tests and T20Is, remain active internationally only in the 50-over format. According to a report in the Indian Express, the expectation is straightforward: prove match fitness through domestic cricket or risk missing out on selection.
That message was reinforced by senior board officials. “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,” sources in the BCCI, speaking to The Indian Express.
This firm stance follows a period in which both players have spent significant time away from the domestic circuit, often juggling heavy international schedules. Their ODI appearances in Australia last month suggested strong form, but the board now wants that readiness validated through domestic matches as well.
Rohit to play Vijay Hazare; Kohli yet to confirm availability
The next major marker in this new directive is the Vijay Hazare Trophy, beginning December 24—one of the few domestic one-day windows between India’s ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand. As per Indian Express, Rohit has already informed the Mumbai Cricket Association of his availability for the tournament, and he is also open to featuring in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 competition starting November 26. Kohli’s participation, however, is still undecided as he continues to spend extended periods in London.
Rohit had previously addressed his limited domestic cricket appearances, explaining the demands of playing all formats at the highest level at the press-conference during India’s Champions Trophy squad announcement. “…I can at least say about what has happened with me since I’ve started playing Test cricket regularly, which is from 2019, you have hardly had any time. When you play so much international cricket throughout the year, you need some time off as well as a cricketer just to refresh… But we have addressed it now and nobody takes it for granted or anything like that.”
Both players did return for a Ranji Trophy match last season, but the current BCCI directive indicates a more consistent expectation moving forward.
Selection committee reinforces domestic participation requirement
The emphasis on domestic cricket is not new, but the board appears determined to ensure it is followed more consistently. Selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar had reiterated this expectation during the ODI squad announcement for the Australia tour in a press conference. “We made it clear a year, or a couple of years back, that whenever players are available, they should be playing domestic cricket. That’s the only way you’ll keep yourself sharp and playing cricket, if you’ve got a long enough break. Whether that’s possible with the international cricket you’re playing or not, only time will tell, but if the guys are free, they should be playing domestic cricket.”
The challenge now for selectors is balancing respect for legendary careers with the need to build a competitive side for the next ODI World Cup in 2027. At a recent NDTV event, Agarkar acknowledged that the future remains uncertain. “In two years’ time, we don’t know what the situation is going to be. So why just them two? It could be some other younger players [who might miss out on the tournament].”
He also stressed that while experience matters, assessment will depend on sustained cricket rather than one-off performances. “You are not going to put them on trial in every game. But 2027 is a long way away, both of them play one format […] they haven’t had a lot of cricket [in recent months]. Once they start playing, then you assess as you go forward.”
Agarkar made it equally clear that their stature and records remain unquestioned. “They are not on trial, they have achieved all they had to achieve, not just winning trophies but runs [as well], so it’s not that if both of them don’t get runs in one series that will be the reason they won’t be there, or if they get three hundreds, [that will be] the reason they play 2027. It’s still a long way away, we’ll see how the team shapes up, but we have some ideas, and as we go along, we’ll probably have a better idea of where the team is progressing.”
A pivotal phase for India’s ODI leadership core
With one format left in their international careers, Rohit and Kohli now stand at a crossroads where domestic participation may shape not only their immediate selection but also India’s long-term ODI team planning. The upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy could mark the beginning of a period where senior players are expected to balance domestic and international responsibilities more closely.
For now, Rohit’s return is confirmed, while the cricket world waits to see whether Kohli joins him as India formalises its roadmap toward the 2027 World Cup.
