Virat Kohli has reportedly declined to participate in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) advising senior players to feature in domestic cricket.
According to NDTV sources, this decision has intensified the unease already brewing inside the Indian dressing room, especially regarding how the futures of Kohli and Rohit Sharma are being managed. Insiders claim that tensions between Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir have slowly escalated, with disagreements emerging on key matters connected to Kohli’s roadmap in the national setup.
While Rohit has confirmed his availability for the domestic one-day competition, Kohli has opted out, creating a noticeable contrast between the two veterans.
Rohit Opts In, Kohli Holds Back — BCCI Caught in a Dilemma
Rohit Sharma has not only agreed to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy but had earlier also made himself available for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to maintain match readiness. Kohli, however, reportedly feels that he does not require additional domestic games and is opposed to what he considers “over-preparation.” This difference in approach has placed BCCI in an uncomfortable situation.
Administrators do not want to create an exception for a single player, regardless of stature, because it sends the wrong message to the rest of the squad. A source clearly stated:
“The issue is with the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He (Kohli) simply doesn’t want to play. When Rohit is also playing, how can there be an exception for one player? And what do we tell the other players? That someone is different from all of you?”
The board and the coach have been firm in pushing players to participate in domestic tournaments whenever they are available. It was this insistence that saw both Kohli and Rohit feature in the Ranji Trophy after the disappointing Test series in Australia.
Kohli Defends His Philosophy as BCCI Sends Mediator
Following the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, Kohli had already hinted at relying more on his mental preparation than extensive match practice. During the post-match presentation, he reiterated his long-held belief, saying:
“I’ve never been a believer in a lot of prep. All my cricket has been mental. I work physically very hard, as long as my fitness levels are up, and then you visualise batting and feeling well, it’s good.”
As the situation grew more complicated, the BCCI dispatched national selector Pragyan Ojha to Raipur — the venue for the second ODI — in an attempt to ease tensions between Kohli and Gambhir. The board hopes this mediation will prevent the issue from escalating further and maintain harmony ahead of crucial assignments.
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