New Delhi: India’s cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will now represent the national team only in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Both players have retired from Test and T20 formats, with their T20 retirement following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, and Test retirement announced during the 2025 IPL season.
However, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has issued a clear directive to the duo: to continue playing for India, they must participate in domestic cricket.
BCCI’s Message to Rohit and Virat
A BCCI official told the Indian Express, “The Board and team management have explicitly communicated to both Rohit and Virat that if they want to continue representing India, they need to play domestic cricket. Since they have retired from two formats, participating in domestic matches is essential to maintain match fitness.”
Rohit Sharma has already confirmed his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy representing Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), while Virat Kohli’s participation is yet to be clarified.
Virat’s Domestic Experience
Virat Kohli, India’s second-highest run-scorer in ODIs, last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on 18 February 2010 for Delhi against Services. He captained the Delhi team in that match, which also included then Delhi player Shikhar Dhawan and current BCCI President Mithun Manhas.
Recent ODI Performance Against Australia
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli featured in India’s recent three-match ODI series against Australia. Rohit was in exceptional form, scoring a fifty in the second ODI and a century in the third, finishing as the highest run-scorer of the series with 202 runs, earning the Player of the Series award. Virat, after two consecutive ducks, came back strongly in the third ODI with an unbeaten 74 runs.
The BCCI’s push for domestic participation ensures that both veterans stay match-fit while continuing to contribute to India’s ODI campaigns.
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