Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are going to play Vijya Hazare trophy, India’s premier one-day domestic cricket tournament, to continue their batting practice in One Day International (ODI), the only format both the greats are continuing with. They had retired from test matches and T20s. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) commented that there was no pressure on both of them to play Vijay Hazare trophy. There were several news items saying that chief coach Gautam Gambhir and chief of selection committee Ajit Agarkar forced both Kohli and Rohit to play domestic cricket if they are keen to play ODI cricket in future.

Both Kohli and Rohit appear to be very particular on playing ODI world cup in 2027. Will they be able to be physically fit to play cricket at the highest level after two years? This question bothered both Gambhir and Agarkar. They are understood to have hinted to Rohit and Kohli that it is better to play domestic cricket to be considered for the world cup. Rohit has been regularly doing physical exercise and now looking smarter, than what he was when he was the captain, after shedding some weight. He has already given his nod to play Vijay Hazare Trophy. But Kohli who has been living in England with family has just officially expressed his willingness to play. Rohit is likely to play Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy in which Mumbai is qualified to play knockout match. Kohli will be leaving for London after the match in Vizag where he also visited a famous temple. He will come back to play Vijay Hazare Trophy. He might as well play a few domestic matches for Delhi and Bengaluru.

They are stars

In the last six ODIs, Rohit and Kohli were the main source of support in four matches. Between them they made three centuries and five half centuries (Two centuries and one half-century by Kohli and four half-centuryies by Rohit). Beside doing well with the bat, both the leading players are a great attraction. In the last three matches the stadia were full thanks to the presence of Kohli and Rohit. Rohit bagged the Player of the series award during Australia tour and Kohli got the same distinction in the just concluded ODI series with South Africa. In three matches in a row, kohli (135, 102) made two centuries and one half century 65 not out). Rohit, on the other hand, hit two half centuries (57 and 75) in the first and the third matches. ‘I don’t think the place of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the ODI team should be in doubt looking at what the duo have been doing over the years.

Not only with batting, even in field placements and suggestions to bowlers, both are dynamic and resourceful. Especially when the Captain Gill (He underwent extensive rehabilitation and is now back to normal and is expected to play against Sourth Africa in T20.) and Vice Captain Shreyas Iyer (He underwent surgery in Australia) were not playing in the ODI due to injuries, it was mainly Rohit who has been advising teammates on field placements. In the third match, Rohit has been found constantly counseling spinner KuldeepYadav who took four wickets.

World Cup is too far

Both Gautam Gambhir and Agarkar refused to speculate last week if Rohit Sharma (38 years. Born 30 April 1987) and ViratKohli 37 years. Born 05 November 1988) would be part of the world cup team. They said the world cup is too far for them to plan now. However, former national selector Devang Gandhi has exhorted the BCCI to build world cup team around the two talented batsmen of international repute. “As long as Kohli and Rohit are playing, planning has to be done around them and in consultation with them. If someone like KL Rahul is injured, there has to be somebody like Rishabh Pant ready to replace him. The selectors should keep a pool of not more than 20 players to select from.

However, opinions change after a stellar performance. “They (Rohit and Kohli) are world-class players and their experience is important in the dressing room. They have been doing it for a long time. Hopefully, they can continue doing the same which is going to be important in the 50 over format,” Gambhir said at the post-match media conference after India won the series against South Africa 2-1. It is a significant statement coming after reports appeared in the media that Kohli has not been on talking terms with Gambhir and the former walked past the chief coach after the match without looking at him or wishing him. While failure deepens the wounds, success has the habit of healing them.

Dr. K. Ramachandra Murthy

Prominent Journalist

Dr. K. Ramachandra Murthy is a versatile journalist with a distinguished career. Dr. Murthy began his extensive career with Andhra Prabha of The Indian Express group in Bengaluru. He was editor of Udayam, Vaartha and Andhra Jyothy. Dr. Murthy founded and edited HMTV news channel and The Hans India, an English newspaper. He was also editorial director of the Telugu newspaper, Saakshi. He was awarded Ph. D for his research work in rural reporting. Dr. Murthy’s five decades in journalism showcases his influential roles across both print and electronic media. He wrote the political biography of NTR published by Harper Collins.