Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to be seen in domestics: Will play last 3 rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy

Between the conclusion of South Africa ODIs and start of New Zealand series, there is going to be at least six rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy games for Delhi and Mumbai and the national selectors would expect Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play in the 50-over event.

The chairman of selectors- Ajit Agarkar- has already made it clear that every centrally contracted player who is fit and available, is expected to play domestic cricket if they wish to represent India. Hence, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were already expected to perform in domestics, now their case will be even more strong.

“Between last ODI against South Africa on December 6 at Visakhapatnam and the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara on January 11, there is a gap of five weeks,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24. There will be six rounds of games for Mumbai (December 24, 26, 29, 31, Jan 3, 6, 8). Rohit will be expected to at least play three rounds before linking up with the squad. Ditto for Virat,” the source added.

Speaking about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, they announced their retirement from T20I format after India made history and won the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending the team’s decade long wait for an ICC trophy. The duo then hung their boots from Test cricket before the national side went to England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.