Virat Kohli’s return to international cricket remains uncertain, and his ODI plans are still unclear, leaving India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar increasingly concerned. Kohli last represented India in this year’s Champions Trophy, helping the team secure a second consecutive ICC title under Rohit Sharma, and has not played since the IPL 2025 final in May.
A report by RevSportz highlights growing “pessimism” about Kohli’s international future due to a “lack of communication” from the former captain. The situation has intensified following the announcement that neither Kohli nor Rohit Sharma was included in the India A squad for the upcoming 50-over series against Australia A.
The report notes that the team management had hoped to involve both players ahead of India’s white-ball tour of Australia. Australia A are currently touring India for a Test series. After concluding the second unofficial Test in Lucknow, India A will host three 50-over matches at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.
There had been widespread speculation that senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli would feature in these games to prepare for the upcoming ODI series in Australia, as neither has played competitive cricket since the IPL 2025. Both players, however, have cleared their mandatory pre-season fitness assessments conducted earlier this month.
Rohit Trains At Bengaluru CoE, Kohli Completes Fitness Test In London Ahead Of ODI Series
India’s ODI captain Rohit travelled to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for his test and stayed on for training, reportedly in preparation for the ODI series. Kohli, on the other hand, completed his fitness evaluation in London. The report noted that the latest developments around Kohli have raised questions about his ODI future, with the 50-over World Cup still two years away.
Earlier this summer, media reports had speculated that both Kohli and Rohit Sharma might make their final international appearances during India’s tour of Australia. Both players had already retired from T20Is in June last year, following India’s T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados, and stepped away from Test cricket in May.
The report added that with the BCCI expected to urge them to play domestic cricket to remain in contention for ODI selection, both could choose to retire from the format and conclude their international careers by October.
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