With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at ages 38 and 36 respectively, their continued relevance and longevity in international cricket, especially in the 50-over format, has become a topic of intense discussion. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has subtly indicated that both veterans need to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s domestic one-day competition, to prove their form and fitness for continuing in the One Day International (ODI) setup, particularly with the 2027 World Cup in mind. However, it appears both players might skip the tournament, raising questions about the validity of the BCCI’s stance.

Background: Rohit and Kohli’s Current Status in Indian Cricket

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, icons of Indian cricket with a combined total of over 25,000 ODI runs and 83 hundreds, recently quit Test and T20 International cricket to focus solely on ODIs. Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025, after years of dominance, and both players had stepped away from T20Is following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Their next big challenge in the ODI format is the 2027 World Cup, when they will be nearing 40. This transition phase has prompted cricket administrators to demand proof of continued fitness and form from the duo in domestic cricket first.

BCCI’s Argument: Playing Vijay Hazare Trophy to Retain ODI Spots

The BCCI’s rationale has been that playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy—a premier 50-over domestic tournament—would keep Rohit and Kohli match-ready and justify their selection for the national ODI team. This is in line with nurturing a merit-based squad given the influx of young talent in the country. Reports suggest the duo had also been advised to participate in the Ranji Trophy before announcing their retirement from the Test format, indicating the board’s desire for them to maintain domestic form to continue international careers.

Why Might Rohit and Kohli Skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy?

Despite the BCCI’s push, several practical issues challenge this plan:

The Vijay Hazare Trophy clashes with existing international and India A schedules. Both players are expected to be involved in crucial ODIs and possibly India A games aimed at testing their fitness in 50-over cricket, which overlaps with the Vijay Hazare Tournament dates.

Since both Rohit and Kohli will have played several ODI matches before the domestic tournament starts in late December 2025, their participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy could be redundant or even physically taxing.

There is a division within the BCCI, with some officials prioritizing India A matches over the Vijay Hazare Trophy for this purpose, believing that limited competitive exposure at the India A level may suffice to assess their readiness.

Is the BCCI’s Argument Failing?

The possibility that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy despite the board’s public stance reveals cracks in the BCCI’s approach. The argument that domestic performance is essential to retain ODI selection could become ineffective if top players are unable or unwilling to partake in the tournament due to scheduling conflicts and workload management.

Moreover, at this stage of their careers, the 50-over format arguably suits Rohit and Kohli best, allowing them to focus on selective performances rather than constant travel and rigorous formats like T20s or Tests. Forcing or expecting them to play every domestic 50-over game seems impractical and may not truly reflect match fitness or form at the international level.

Conclusion: Balancing Veteran Experience and Emerging Talent

The coming months will be critical in defining Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI future. Whether the BCCI adapts its assessment methods—perhaps focusing more on India A games or controlled international appearances—will determine if the Vijay Hazare Trophy remains a mandatory stepping stone. At 36 and 38, managing workload while ensuring competitiveness is key to extending their contributions meaningfully to Indian cricket’s 50-over setup.

This nuanced situation underscores the evolving dynamics between cricket administration, player longevity, and the complex demands of modern cricket schedules, highlighting the need for flexible yet transparent policies regarding player fitness and form evaluation ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

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