Rohit Sharma, who was once the captain of India, has to go through the same experience as Virat Kohli. However, he has no way out of domestic cricket and the board has clearly signaled to the aging players that their days are numbered.
Not even the fantastic return and performance of Rohit Sharma in the white-ball formats of cricket have made any difference to his fate. Just like his colleague, the BCCI has been very strict towards the international players’ non-availability for the domestic matches.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir’s media statement claiming that players should play for their states when they are not on the national team opened the discussion around the whole idea. Even the greatest players have not been given any special treatment.
Rohit Sharma was also asked to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
It was the decision of the Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and coach Gautam Gambhir that once Rohit Sharma quit Test cricket, he would eventually have to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to be considered for the Indian ODI squad and the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
According to sources from Cricbuzz, the ex-Indian captain, who has won two ICC titles, has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association about his availability for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy season.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were also supposed to take part in the Ranji Trophy for the last season, as the Indian management had laid this domestic cricket rule ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024-25.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to collide in VHT
The Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) President unsealed an official communication about Virat Kohli’s availability for the Delhi team, which led to his notification of being present for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It was further hinted by ANI reports that he would play in four matches.
This year, the Delhi team has been grouped in Group D with Gujarat, Services, Saurashtra, Odisha, Railways, Haryana, and Andhra.
Their opening game will be against Andhra in Alur. Although Mumbai isn’t a part of the same group, it is still likely for these two to meet if both teams progress to the knockouts and the Indian stars play for their states.
Though the two have not had an opportunity to play domestic matches against each other for the past 15 years, they become rivals in the IPL, where Rohit Sharma leads the Mumbai Indians and Virat Kohli is in charge of RCB.
Rohit and Virat would be aiming to continue their excellent form in the ODIs against South Africa.
Rohit actually returned even stronger than Virat Kohli. He was extremely determined, as well as successful, losing almost 11 kg before following the Indian team to Australia. Over the last few months, Sharma has seemed more lively and smooth than ever, as his fitness has been rejuvenated.
Rohit has been playing aggressively now taking quick singles, doubling up with his partners and swinging his bat faster. Since his return, he has participated in 4 international matches and is India’s highest scorer with 259 runs.
With an average of 86.33, Rohit has notched up two fifties and a century and will be eager to extend his run in the rest of the South Africa home series. The Vishakhapatnam Stadium is a perfect black soil bouncy track adored by Rohit Sharma, and India will play their last game of the series on that pitch.