BCCI sends stern warning to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of home South Africa ODI series
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent a stern warning to their veteran one-format players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, ahead of the three-match ODI series against South Africa at home, which begins on November 30.
Ahead of India’s three-match ODI series against South Africa at home, the message is clear and loud from the BCCI as they want their two veteran one-format players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, to feature in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, beginning on December 24. This is the only white-ball competition for them between the home Proteas and the New Zealand series.
Rohit has informed the MCA that he would be available for the VHT games, but there is no clarity on Kohli. Both took part in India's previous ODI series against Australia down under, where the former smashed a fine century in Sydney, while Kohli got an unbeaten 74 after his two successive ducks.
See Also: [WATCH] Sanju Samson reveals his most special birthday gift as video goes viral
“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.” The reports of the Indian Express noted.
Rohit Sharma to be available for Mumbai’s VHT 2025-26 games; no clarity on Virat Kohli
Rohit has reportedly informed the MCA that he could even be available for a few games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26, starting on November 26. The BCCI selection committee head, Ajit Agarkar, made it clear that the players would need to turn up for domestic cricket.
“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.” Agarkar addressed.
“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,” Agarkar noted during an event.
Tags:
