The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly informed senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli that participation in domestic cricket is now mandatory for them to continue representing India in international cricket. Both former captains, who retired from T20Is in June 2024 and stepped away from Test cricket in May 2025, are now active only in the ODI format.
Their last outing came in the three-match ODI series against Australia in October 2025, where India lost 1-2. Rohit impressed with a fluent half-century and an unbeaten century, while Kohli also crossed the fifty-run mark in the final ODI at Sydney.
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According to The Indian Express, the BCCI and team management have made it clear that domestic performances will determine future ODI selections. “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,” a source told the publication.
🚨 Big update: Rohit Sharma has told Mumbai he’s ready for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 🇮🇳💪
BCCI wants both Rohit & Virat Kohli to grind it out in domestic cricket to stay in ODI contention 👀#RohitSharma #ViratKohlihttps://t.co/KySoYmebf7
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) November 12, 2025
Rohit has confirmed his availability to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, there’s no official word on whether Kohli will turn up for Delhi. Notably, Kohli last featured in the tournament back in 2010, leading Delhi against Services in a side that included Shikhar Dhawan and current BCCI president Mithun Manhas.
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Interestingly, Rohit has also conveyed his willingness to participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), starting November 26. However, his participation appears unlikely, as India’s upcoming ODI series against South Africa is scheduled to begin on November 30 in Ranchi. Having recently won the Player of the Series award in Australia and reclaimed the No. 1 spot in ODI rankings, Rohit’s presence in the home series against the Proteas appears almost inevitable.
