The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly informed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma that they must participate in domestic cricket if they wish to retain their places in the national team. The Indian Express broke the story, citing senior board sources. Although both players have retired from Tests and T20 Internationals, they continue to feature in India’s ODI set-up.
Following the BCCI’s directive, Kohli and Rohit could be seen taking part in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic one-day tournament, which begins on 24 November. The competition, scheduled between India’s ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand, is the only 50-over domestic event during this period.
According to The Indian Express, Rohit has already informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that he is ready to play in the tournament. Kohli’s participation, however, remains uncertain.
The 37-year-old Kohli and 38-year-old Rohit last played during India’s ODI series in Australia last month. Rohit, after failing in the opening match, bounced back with a fifty and a century, while Kohli registered two ducks in the first two games before remaining unbeaten on 74 in the final ODI.
A BCCI source told The Indian Express, “Both the board and the team management have made it clear that if they want to continue playing for India, they must also feature in domestic competitions. Since they have retired from two formats, domestic cricket is crucial for maintaining match fitness.”
The report further stated that Rohit might also play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, which begins on 26 November. He is currently training at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Academy in Mumbai. The BCCI is also hopeful that Kohli, who is currently in London, will return to feature in domestic matches.
Last month, chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasised the importance of players participating in domestic cricket. “We have made it clear for the past couple of years that whenever players are available, they must represent their state sides. It’s the only way to stay fit and match-ready,” Agarkar said.
Both Rohit and Kohli played one match each in last season’s Ranji Trophy—Kohli turned out for Delhi after 12 years, while Rohit represented Mumbai after a decade. At the time, Rohit remarked, “Since 2019, I’ve been playing Test cricket regularly. With the packed international calendar, there’s hardly any time for domestic cricket. Sometimes, you just need a break.”
Speaking later about the two players in the context of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Agarkar added, “It’s impossible to predict what things will look like two years from now. We’re not testing them after every match, nor will they be dropped after a poor series. 2027 is still a long way off. They’ve achieved everything—runs, trophies, records. But that doesn’t mean a couple of centuries will automatically secure their place. The focus now is on how the team is being built for the future.”