Not Vijay Hazare Trophy, India A games prioritised by 'some in BCCI' for Kohli, Rohit's ODI future; Agarkar to decide

By Admin

11 Aug, 2025

Speculation Over ODI Careers
With India’s tour of England wrapped up and no international cricket on the horizon until the Asia Cup next month in the UAE, fresh speculation has emerged about the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in One Day Internationals. A recent media report hinted that their international ODI careers could end as soon as October unless they take steps to remain match-ready and relevant for future selection, especially with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind.

Shift in BCCI’s Focus
Initially, reports suggested that playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy would be crucial for their continuation in the ODI setup. However, a PTI update revealed a “school of thought” within the BCCI that is placing more emphasis on Kohli and Rohit participating in India A 50-over games, rather than the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy, given the tight international calendar.

Why the Vijay Hazare Trophy Isn’t Feasible
The Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting December 24, is set to clash with India’s packed ODI schedule. Before the tournament begins, Kohli and Rohit would already have played six ODIs   three against Australia (October 19–25) and three against South Africa (December 12–17). Further, three ODIs against New Zealand (January 11, 14, and 18) will overlap with the latter half of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, limiting their availability to just two or three games.

India A as the Preferred Path
Instead, the focus is on the India A series against Australia A, scheduled for September 30, October 3, and October 5 in Kanpur. This series, which will feature players like Jake Fraser-McGurk, is seen as an ideal platform for Kohli and Rohit to regain competitive match fitness ahead of the Australia ODIs. Similarly, between the Australia and South Africa series, there’s another India A series against South Africa A in Rajkot on November 13, 16, and 19, offering additional List A exposure.

Agarkar’s Call Will Be Final
The ultimate decision, however, rests with BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his committee. The key question remains whether Kohli and Rohit will commit to these India A fixtures   possibly two or all three   before the South Africa series, or take a different approach.

Looking Ahead
Kohli and Rohit, having already retired from T20Is and Tests, now carry India’s hopes in the ODI format. Their participation in strategically chosen fixtures could be the decisive factor in shaping their future and India’s ODI roadmap toward the 2027 World Cup.