Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have taken BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s warning seriously. In his determination to participate in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, he has agreed to star in the next edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
After retiring from Test cricket, there is a lot of discussion about the careers of Indian legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli; However, chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced their names in India’s squad for the Australia tour.
Despite naming him in the ODI series on India’s tour of Australia, the selectors have not given any update on the retention plan for the 2027 ICC World Cup. With limited ODI action in the coming year, Agarkar has urged both the great players to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy so that they can be match-ready.
Ajit Agarkar urges players to play domestic cricket after selection for Australia tour
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, in the press conference of India’s tour of Australia, had urged the Indian players to play domestic cricket amid their busy international calendar.
However, this time, they have not even spared veteran cricketers like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as they will have to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to keep themselves match-ready and in form before the next Cricket World Cup in 2027.
Agarkar said: “I think we made it clear a year or so ago that whenever players are available, they should play domestic cricket. I mean, that’s the only way you’ll be able to keep yourself sharp and play cricket, if you have a long enough break. Whether that’s possible with the international cricket you’re playing, only time will tell, but if players are free, they should play domestic cricket.”
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected in Vijay Hazare Trophy
India’s two senior cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have heeded the advice of chief selector Ajit Agarkar and made their first move to stay in the race for the upcoming World Cup to be held in South Africa.
India is known to have limited ODI matches as it will have only 9 matches, 3 each against Australia, South Africa and finally New Zealand. According to a PTI report, Kohli and Rohit are expected to feature in at least three matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Virat Kohli last played for Delhi in a List A tournament in 2010 and scored only 16 runs while batting at number one. 5 in the match against Services. While Rohit Sharma, after losing his role as the captain of the Indian team, will be participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time since 2018.
Virat and Rohit will play three rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy
According to the latest media reports from PTI, both Virat Kohli and Rohit take Agarkar’s advice seriously and hence are available for at least three matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is scheduled to begin on December 24.
This domestic tournament will be marked after the conclusion of the 2025 home series against South Africa. There will be at least 6 rounds of VHT games for Delhi and Mumbai. “There is a gap of five weeks between the last ODI against South Africa on December 6 in Visakhapatnam and the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11 in Vadodara.
“The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24. There will be six rounds of games for Mumbai (December 24, 26, 29, December 31, January 3, 6, 8). Rohit will be expected to play at least three rounds before joining the team. Same is the case for Virat,” a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
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