The BCCI and the Indian team management have delivered a message to star veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: play domestic cricket to maintain match fitness or risk their spots in the ODI squad. Both players have retired from Tests and T20 Internationals, focusing solely on the 50-over format with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, the BCCI has stressed that participation in domestic tournaments is now mandatory to ensure sharpness when not on international duty.
The directive stems from a concern within the board regarding the lack of competitive match time for the veteran duo. A source in the board stated, "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."
This position aligns with the previous stance of the selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar, who has consistently stressed that players must "go through the domestic grind" when available.
Rohit Sharma has reportedly already taken the first step toward compliance. The 38-year-old has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association that he will be available to play in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, with a potential fixture scheduled for December 24.
The ODI tournament offers the only domestic 50-over cricket window between India's home ODI series against South Africa (December 3–9) and the subsequent series against New Zealand (January 11 onwards). Rohit is also considering playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, which starts on November 26, and has been practicing at Mumbai's Sharad Pawar indoor academy.
In contrast, there is currently no clarity regarding Virat Kohli's availability for the domestic fixtures. The 37-year-old, who now resides in London, has yet to communicate his plans to the Delhi & District Cricket Association.
Kohli, 87 not out and Rohit, 121 not out had a match-winning partnership in the final game of the recent ODI series against Australia in October, which saw Rohit return to form with a century while Kohli rebounded from two consecutive ducks.
The firm stance by the BCCI ensures that no player, regardless of stature or past achievements, will be exempt from domestic duties intended to maintain peak performance. While Agarkar clarified that the two players are "not on trial" for the 2027 World Cup, the board will use domestic cricket performances as a key assessment tool moving forward.