“They have to play domestic cricket” - BCCI’s stern message to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have revealed that the Indian talismanic batting duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should take part in the domestic tournaments or play for India A in one-dayers to be eligible for national team selection.

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According to The Indian Express, Rohit Sharma has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that he will be available to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 campaign. However, there is no clarity on Virat Kohli’s participation. 

Moreover, the report mentioned that Rohit is ready to play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 season and has already informed his decision to the MCA. Notably, he has been practicing at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Academy in Mumbai. 

“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,” sources in the board told The Indian Express.

While Rohit and Kohli announced their T20I retirement after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, they bid adieu to the longest format of the game ahead of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy this year.

Most recently, the Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar had made it clear that there is the need for players to turn up in domestic cricket before making their comeback to the Indian national sides across formats. 

“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,” Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had said.

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