Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to feature in at least three, possibly four, matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
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Kohli and Rohit Take First Step Towards 2027 ODI World Cup
Senior Indian batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have responded to chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s guidance by planning to participate in domestic cricket to stay in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup. According to PTI, both players are expected to feature in at least three, possibly four, Vijay Hazare Trophy matches ahead of India’s home ODI series against New Zealand in January.
This move follows Agarkar’s recent statement during the squad announcement for the ODI tour of Australia, where he emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for maintaining form. While remaining non-committal about their World Cup selection, he said, “I think we made it clear a year, or a couple of years back, now, that whenever players are available, they should be playing domestic cricket. I mean, that’s the only way you’ll keep yourself sharp and playing cricket, if you’ve got a long enough break. Whether that’s possible with the international cricket you’re playing or not, that only time will tell, but if the guys are free, they should be playing domestic cricket.”
Kohli and Rohit Set to Feature in Vijay Hazare Trophy
According to a media report, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to follow Ajit Agarkar’s advice and make themselves available for at least three matches in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, beginning December 24.
The tournament falls between India’s ODI series at home against South Africa and the start of the contest against New Zealand. Both Delhi and Mumbai will play at least six rounds of matches during this period, and the Agarkar-led selection committee anticipates participation from the veteran duo.
“Between the 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. 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,” a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Kohli last featured in the domestic List A tournament in 2010 for Delhi, scoring 16 runs at No. 5 against Services. Rohit, who recently stepped down as India’s ODI captain, last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2018, scoring 24 in the semi-final for Mumbai against Hyderabad.
