Indian Team Management Reportedly Wants Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to Play Domestic Cricket for Any 2027 World Cup Aspirations

The latest update from the BCCI set up suggests that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may not be too sure about their spots in that World Cup squad.

Indian Team Management Reportedly Wants Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to Play Domestic Cricket for Any 2027 World Cup Aspirations

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (via the Indian Express)

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With both India’s T20I and Test teams making positive strides in their transition phases, attention now turns to when the ODI side will follow suit. Veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, whose greatest successes have come in the format, now feature exclusively in ODIs.

The love that the fans poured for the celebrated duo turned into disappointment in the last 12 months after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma decided to step away from the other two formats of the game. Now, their devotees have only the ODI format to see them in national colors. Many experts and fans believe that playing the 2027 ODI World Cup and potentially winning it would be the ideal farewell for two of the white ball greats.

However, the latest update from the BCCI setup suggests that Kohli and Sharma may not be too sure about their spots in that World Cup squad. They, like any other player, will have to earn their positions in the team through consistent performance. The recent update through Jagran News’ Abhishek Tripathi (via X) suggests that the team management is not considering the batting pair for the World Cup.

However, if both Sharma and Kohli desire to extend their careers until the World Cup, they will have to take part in the List A domestic tournaments. The management wants them to keep themselves fit and available to play tournaments like the Vijay Hazare, which provide ideal practice for 50 over cricket. The next assignment for Sharma and Kohli is the Australian series taking place in October this year. That will be their first cricketing appearance for India since winning the Champions Trophy earlier in March.

The pair would love to return to cricket in Australia considering their impeccable white ball record Down Under. Both have consistently scored against the excess pace and bounce of the wickets in Australia and will be gearing for another successful tour. In all probability, the series will be looked upon keenly to observe its performance, and the future path will be clearer after that.

When did Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli last play domestic cricket?

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hadn’t taken part in domestic cricket for a while before their return this time around. Sharma took part in a domestic Ranji Trophy game for the first time since 2015 when Mumbai took on Jammu and Kashmir in January earlier this year.

Rohit Sharma for Mumbai Team
Rohit Sharma (via NDTV Sports)

Sharma’s returns from the match weren’t very eye catching as he could only manage 3 and 28 in his two innings. As a surprise to many Jammu and Kashmir stunned Mumbai and dented their chances of any further progress. Kohli too didn’t have the best comeback to domestic cricket.

Virat Kohli for Delhi Team
Virat Kohli (via Mint)

His match for Delhi against Railways was his first appearance in a Ranji Trophy game since 2012. Kohli too didn’t have an ideal match as he perished for just 6 runs. This remarkably was the last time fans saw both players in red ball cricket.

Soon after their domestic cricket stint, the pair announced retirement from the longest format. Their Test match form was dwindling, and they found it difficult to pick the red ball in recent times owing to their dismissals in domestic cricket as well. However, their white ball form has been impeccable, and they would expect much better returns from a domestic white ball tournament if they are to play one anytime soon.

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