Team India chief selector Ajit Agarkar firmly reiterated that all centrally contracted players must participate in domestic cricket whenever possible, as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma prepare for their return to international action. The veteran duo have been selected for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, beginning October 19.
The BCCI had earlier emphasized the importance of domestic participation for contracted players, particularly after India’s 1-3 defeat in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Following that directive, both Kohli and Rohit featured in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season before announcing their retirement from red-ball cricket.
Recent reports hinted at their possible inclusion in India A’s List A series against Australia A, but their names were missing from the final squad. Their next opportunity for List A domestic cricket lies in the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy, although their participation might be uncertain due to overlapping international fixtures.
“We have made it clear a couple of years back now that whenever the guys are available, they should be playing domestic cricket, because that is the only way you will keep yourself sharp and playing cricket. If guys are free, I mean they should be playing domestic cricket,” Ajit Agarkar said during the squad announcement press conference (via Jio Hotstar).
“Rohit, Kohli Still Leaders In The Dressing Room” – Ajit Agarkar On Australia Tour
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli find themselves in a transitional phase despite their iconic status. Having retired from two formats, they continue to feature intermittently in ODIs. Agarkar was asked about the role and expectations from the veteran duo, given that the 2027 ODI World Cup is still a few years away.
“I mean what they have been doing for years, yaar. Try and score runs. I don’t think that changes, they are still playing for the country. They are still leaders in that dressing room, and you hope they are. We hope that they keep scoring runs. We don’t have to think too far ahead,” Agarkar said.
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