BCCI’s Stern Message To Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma: Play Domestic Cricket To Stay In India Squad

BCCI’s Clear Directive To Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma: Participate In Domestic Cricket To Continue Playing For India

BCCI’s Stand On Senior Players’ Participation

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made its stance clear to former Indian captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—if they wish to continue representing India in One Day Internationals, they must participate in domestic cricket tournaments. According to reports from The Indian Express, both players were informed that playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy is now mandatory to maintain match fitness and remain eligible for national selection. This move by the BCCI reflects its commitment to ensuring that even senior players stay in touch with competitive cricket, especially after stepping away from other formats.

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Kohli and Rohit’s Current International Status

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from T20 Internationals on June 29, 2024, following India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign. Later, both stalwarts announced their retirement from Test cricket in May 2025. Currently, they are only active in the ODI format, last featuring for India in the three-match series against Australia in October 2025. Although India lost the series 1-2, both players showcased good form—Rohit smashed an unbeaten century and a half-century, while Kohli scored a solid fifty in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25. Their performances reaffirmed their value to the team, yet BCCI is firm about maintaining consistency through domestic commitments.

Rohit Sharma’s Commitment To Domestic Cricket

As per reports, Rohit Sharma has already confirmed his availability to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. The Indian captain is also open to participating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), scheduled to begin on November 26. However, due to the India-South Africa ODI series starting November 30 in Ranchi, Rohit’s appearance in SMAT seems unlikely. The selectors are expected to retain him for the South Africa series, given his exceptional form and recent achievement of becoming the world’s No. 1 ODI batter on October 29. Rohit’s readiness to play domestic tournaments highlights his intent to lead by example and comply with BCCI’s directive.

Virat Kohli’s Participation Still Unclear

While Rohit has confirmed his availability, Virat Kohli’s decision on domestic participation remains uncertain. Kohli, who is India’s second-highest run-scorer in ODIs, last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi on February 18, 2010, against Services. Interestingly, in that match, he captained Delhi, with Mithun Manhas—the current BCCI president—and Shikhar Dhawan also featuring in the team. Over the years, Kohli has maintained peak performance levels through international cricket alone, but with reduced workload, the BCCI expects him to return to domestic action to stay match-ready. Fans and cricket experts are now eagerly waiting for confirmation of his participation, as it would mark his comeback to domestic cricket after 15 years.

Why BCCI Is Emphasizing Domestic Cricket

The BCCI’s insistence on players participating in domestic tournaments is not new. It has often emphasized that national players, especially those out of certain formats, should use domestic cricket to maintain rhythm, fitness, and form. For veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy offer an opportunity to mentor younger players while staying in sync with the competitive environment. This step also reinforces the importance of domestic cricket as the foundation of Indian cricketing excellence.

What Lies Ahead For The Duo

With both legends nearing the twilight of their careers, this directive from the BCCI signals a transition phase. Rohit Sharma’s eagerness to comply and Virat Kohli’s yet-to-be-confirmed participation will determine their future in ODIs. As India prepares for upcoming international fixtures, including the South Africa series, their involvement in domestic competitions could strengthen team dynamics and ensure that experience continues to blend seamlessly with emerging talent.

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In conclusion, the BCCI’s message to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma serves as a reminder that reputation alone cannot guarantee a place in Team India. Match readiness and domestic involvement remain essential, even for cricketing icons. Fans will now keep a close eye on whether Kohli follows Rohit’s example by returning to the domestic circuit—a move that could inspire the next generation of cricketers across India.

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