BCCI's strong directive to Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli: ‘Board & management have conveyed to both of them that they will…’

Ever since Gautam Gambhir became the head coach of the Indian team, the management along with the BCCI have made it clear that all the centrally contracted players need to play domestic cricket when not on national duty. Reiterating the same, the Indian board once again stated the same, this time especially for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Having already retired from Tests and T20Is, both Virat and Rohit are only available for ODIs and have ample time to play domestic cricket to keep themselves match-fit. With the ODI season coming up and keeping the 2027 World Cup in mind, the two former captains will have to play domestic cricket if they want to stay in the Indian team in 50-over format.

“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,” The Indian Express quoted a BCCI source.

Stalwarts in their own rights, both Rohit and Virat returned to the ODI setup during India's recent white-ball tour of Australia. While Rohit scored 8, 73 and 121 not out, Kohli registered back-to-back ducks before returning among runs with his 74 not out.

Rohit available for Mumbai, no clarity on Virat

It is understood that Rohit has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that he will be available for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 38-year-old is believed to have also informed the MCA officials that he might be available for Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, starting on November 26.

The former India captain is training at the Mumbai’s Sharad Pawar indoor academy. However, there is no clarity on Virat yet. The ex-Indian skipper resides in United Kingdom with his family these days.

In case both Virat and Rohit plays in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, they could play at least four games between the India vs South Africa ODI series (December 3-9) and another India vs New Zealand (January 11 to 18).

The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts at December 24, with following round of matches scheduled for December 26, 29 and 31.

When did Rohit, Virat last play in domestic cricket?

The right handers played their last domestic match (in the Ranji Trophy) earlier in 2025, after more than a decade, following a disastrous Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Playing for Delhi, Virat was dismissed for just 6 in front of a houseful Arun Jaitley Stadium against Railways in January 2025. He was clean bowled by Himanshu Sangwan.

Rohit turned up for Mumbai with scores of three and 28 against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai in a losing encounter.