Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli put on a great show with the bat, leading India to a nine-wicket victory in the third and final ODI against Australia at SCG last month. However, questions remain about the future of this ageing duo, especially regarding their participation in the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will play Domestic ODIs
After retiring from T20Is and Tests, Rohit and Kohli are now focusing on ODIs for the national team. The Australia series marked their return to international cricket after a seven-month break. Rohit scored 8, 73, and 121* in three games, while Kohli had two ducks before scoring 74* in the series finale.
The experienced players put together an unbeaten 168-run partnership that helped India secure a consolation win in Sydney, but they displayed signs of rustiness throughout the series. With fewer ODIs scheduled these days, the BCCI has reportedly required both veterans to play in domestic cricket to stay match ready.
Board mandate ODI for retired players to represent India
“The board and team management have told both of them they need to play domestic cricket if they want to represent India. Since they have retired from two formats, it’s necessary for them to play domestically to stay match-fit,” a BCCI source told The Indian Express.
According to the report, Virat Kohli has confirmed he is available to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, Kohli has not yet clarified his participation in the tournament, which starts on December 24. Rohit has also informed the MCA that he is prepared to compete in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 (SMAT) tournament, beginning November 26.
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