The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent a clear message to star cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The board has stated that if they wish to remain part of the ODI team, their participation in domestic ODI tournaments will be mandatory.
Sports News: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given a clear message to the country's two most prominent cricketers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, that if they want to continue being a part of India's One-Day International (ODI) team, they will have to play regularly in domestic cricket.
Both players have now retired from Test and T20 international formats and are currently focusing solely on ODI cricket. In this scenario, the BCCI and team management want them to maintain their fitness and form by participating in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
BCCI's Strict Message – Place in Team to be Decided by Domestic Cricket
According to a report by The Indian Express, a senior BCCI official stated, "The board and team management have clearly told both Kohli and Rohit that if they are to play for India, they must play domestic cricket. Since they have retired from two formats, it is extremely crucial for them to maintain match fitness and rhythm."
BCCI's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, also recently stated that players should play domestic cricket whenever they get the opportunity. He had said, "The best way to keep oneself sharp is to play domestic matches, especially when players are on a long international break."
Kohli-Rohit's Return Possible Through Vijay Hazare Trophy
According to reports, the Vijay Hazare Trophy match scheduled for December 24 is being viewed as a potential return for both these players. This match would be the only domestic ODI played between the ODI series against South Africa (December 3-9) and the New Zealand series (starting January 11).
According to sources, Rohit Sharma has already informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that he will be available for this tournament. However, there is no clarity yet regarding Virat Kohli's availability.
Rohit's Preparations Begin, Hopes for Kohli Remain
Rohit Sharma is currently practicing at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Academy in Mumbai, and there are indications that he might also participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament starting November 26. On the other hand, Virat Kohli is currently in London, and the BCCI hopes he will also return to domestic cricket soon.
Last season, both players played one Ranji Trophy match each. Virat took the field for Delhi after 12 years, and Rohit for Mumbai after 10 years. Rohit had said at the time, "Since 2019, when I started playing Test cricket regularly, I had less time for domestic cricket. But now, we are taking it seriously."
BCCI's Strategic Vision for the 2027 World Cup
This initiative by the BCCI is not just about immediate performance but also part of a long-term strategy for the 2027 World Cup. Ajit Agarkar had stated, "Kohli and Rohit are not on trial. Both have achieved a lot for Indian cricket. But there will be many changes between now and the 2027 World Cup. We will continue to assess the situation based on their form, fitness, and domestic performance."
This statement makes it clear that the board wants to strike a balance between experience and youth to secure the team's future.
