BCCI Mandates Kohli and Sharma Play Domestic Cricket for ODI Future

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a clear directive to senior batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: participation in domestic cricket is mandatory if they wish to continue their international ODI careers. This development comes after both players appeared in the recent three-match ODI series against Australia—their first international outings since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With their retirements from T20 and Test formats, the board has determined that domestic cricket participation is essential for maintaining match fitness and selection viability.

Board’s Match Fitness Strategy

According to sources within the BCCI, the board and team management have communicated to both players that domestic cricket representation is non-negotiable for international selection. “The board and team management have conveyed to both of them that they will have to play domestic cricket if they want to play for India. As they both have retired from two formats, they have to play domestic cricket to be match-fit,” a board official revealed to The Indian Express. This policy underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring all players maintain competitive sharpness through consistent domestic participation.

Different Preparation Paths

Rohit Sharma has reportedly informed the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) of his possible availability for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, beginning November 26. The T20 World Cup 2024-winning captain has been training at the Sharad Pawar indoor academy in Mumbai. Conversely, Virat Kohli remains based in London, where he continues training but hasn’t participated in any domestic cricket competitions, raising questions about his domestic availability for the upcoming season.