In what could mark a historic and emotional moment for Indian cricket fans, stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are reportedly gearing up to make their long-awaited return to domestic cricket through the Vijay Hazare Trophy later this year. The move comes nearly two decades after Kohli last played the tournament and seven years since Rohit last featured in it — signaling the duo’s determination to stay relevant and prepared for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.

Both batting icons are currently preparing to rejoin Team India for the three-match ODI series against Australia, beginning October 19 in Perth. However, with the twilight of their careers approaching and both having retired from T20Is and Tests, opportunities to gain match practice have become limited. To stay in rhythm and prove their ongoing commitment to the 50-over format, Kohli and Rohit are now expected to take part in India’s premier domestic one-day competition.

Why Kohli and Rohit’s Domestic Comeback Matters

The ODI series against Australia concludes on October 25, followed by a five-week gap before India’s next assignment — a home ODI series against South Africa from November 30 to December 6. After that, India hosts New Zealand for another ODI series starting January 11 in Vadodara.

During this six-week gap between international series, both veterans are expected to feature in at least three matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which kicks off on December 24.

A source close to the BCCI told PTI,

“Between the last ODI against South Africa on December 6 at Visakhapatnam and the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara on January 11, there is a gap of five weeks. The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24. There will be six rounds of games for Mumbai (December 24, 26, 29, 31, Jan 3, 6, 8). Rohit will be expected to at least play three rounds before linking up with the squad. Ditto for Virat.”

If all goes according to plan, Virat Kohli will turn out for Delhi, while Rohit Sharma will represent Mumbai — the domestic sides they’ve long been associated with. For Kohli, it would be a return to List A cricket for Delhi after 15 years, his last such appearance being back in 2010. Rohit, on the other hand, last played the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2018, when he scored 24 runs for Mumbai in a semi-final against Hyderabad.

🚨 KOHLI & ROHIT HAVE TO PLAY VIJAY HAZARE FOR ODI FUTURE 🚨

- If Kohli & Rohit want to continue playing ODIs, then they will have to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The national selectors have called officials of DDCA & MCA, asking them to be prepared. (Abhishek Tripathi). pic.twitter.com/uWUOgadjIc— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) October 9, 2025

India Squad for Australia ODI Series

As India prepares for its white-ball tour of Australia, the selectors have announced a balanced squad that blends experience and youth:

Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Dhruv Jurel (WK).

This will be the first time Rohit and Kohli return to action after their post-World Cup break, and it’s also a significant series as Shubman Gill officially takes over as India’s ODI captain — succeeding Rohit Sharma.

Selectors Emphasize Domestic Cricket for Senior Players

According to a PTI report, Kohli and Rohit’s decision to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy aligns with the BCCI’s renewed focus on domestic participation for senior players. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently underscored this point during the press conference announcing India’s squad for the Australia tour.

Agarkar explained that players — irrespective of their seniority — should prioritize domestic tournaments whenever they’re not on national duty.

“I think we made it clear a year, or a couple of years back, now, that whenever players are available, they should be playing domestic cricket. I mean, that’s the only way you’ll keep yourself sharp and playing cricket if you’ve got a long enough break. Whether that’s possible with the international cricket you’re playing or not, that only time will tell, but if the guys are free, they should be playing domestic cricket.”

This statement from Agarkar sent a strong message — even the most experienced players must stay in touch with the domestic circuit to maintain rhythm and match fitness, especially if they wish to feature in long-term international plans like the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Kohli and Rohit’s reported decision to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is thus seen as a proactive step — one that underlines their commitment and hunger to continue representing India at the highest level.

Kohli and Rohit’s Road to 2027 ODI World Cup

The 2027 ODI World Cup, to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, remains a distant but compelling goal for both players. By that time, Rohit Sharma will be 38, and Virat Kohli 37 — an age where most players have either retired or shifted focus to commentary or coaching.

However, both players have shown no signs of slowing down. Their inclusion in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is being viewed as part of a larger plan to test their endurance, assess their domestic form, and prepare them for the road ahead.

A BCCI insider told PTI:

“Between the last ODI against South Africa on December 6 and the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11, there’s a five-week gap. The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24. There will be six rounds of matches for Mumbai. Rohit is expected to play at least three before joining the squad, and the same applies to Virat.”

For fans, this is also a nostalgic development — a chance to see two of the greatest modern-era Indian batters return to their domestic roots, playing on familiar grounds that once shaped their illustrious careers.

Shubman Gill on Senior Players’ Future: “We Are Definitely Looking at Rohit and Kohli for 2027”

After being named as India’s new ODI captain, Shubman Gill addressed the media about the future of his seniors. When asked whether Rohit and Kohli were still part of India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup, Gill made his stance clear:

“The experience they have and the number of matches they have won for India, there are very few players who have (done) that. There are very few players in the world with such skill, quality and experience. From that perspective, we are definitely looking at them for 2027.”

Gill’s endorsement of his seniors came as a reassuring message to fans who feared the end of an era after the ODI captaincy change. His remarks highlight the team’s ongoing reliance on their experience and leadership as India looks to balance youth and maturity in the ODI setup.

Gill on Learning from Rohit Sharma’s Leadership

In the same press interaction, Gill reflected on the lessons he has learned from Rohit Sharma during his time under his leadership in both red and white-ball formats. Having recently taken over as India’s Test and ODI captain, Gill credited Rohit’s composure and man-management skills as major influences.

“And there are so many qualities I have learned from Rohit bhai. His calm nature and the way he keeps friendships strong in the team are things I admire and want to follow. These are the qualities I want to carry forward,” Gill said.

Gill also revealed that he was informed about his ODI captaincy before the official announcement during the first Test against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He hopes to emulate Rohit’s leadership style, especially the sense of unity and camaraderie that was instrumental in India’s recent successes — including the T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Kohli and Rohit’s Immediate Focus: Australia White-Ball Tour

Before the Vijay Hazare Trophy and domestic commitments begin, the immediate focus for both veterans is India’s white-ball tour of Australia. The tour begins with three ODIs starting October 19 in Perth, followed by five T20I matches.

This series marks the first time Gill will lead the ODI team, while Rohit and Kohli will play crucial mentor roles within the squad. Their experience will be invaluable as India faces a strong Australian side led by Mitchell Marsh.

It will also give fans a first look at the new ODI leadership dynamic — where Gill leads, but the seasoned pair of Rohit and Kohli provide guidance and stability.

The Significance of Vijay Hazare Trophy for Indian Cricket

The Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s primary domestic one-day tournament, will serve as more than just a fitness exercise for Kohli and Rohit. Their participation could reinvigorate domestic cricket, drawing massive fan interest and setting an example for younger players.

By turning out for their respective state sides — Delhi and Mumbai — the two icons reinforce a critical message: no player, regardless of stature, is above domestic cricket.

As Agarkar has repeatedly emphasized, the goal is to keep even the most decorated players grounded, competitive, and in sync with India’s evolving cricket ecosystem.

What Lies Ahead

For Kohli and Rohit, the road to 2027 will be about more than just maintaining fitness — it will be about staying motivated, adapting to new team dynamics, and performing consistently in limited opportunities. Playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy will give them valuable time in the middle, test their hunger, and allow selectors to assess how they fit into India’s long-term ODI plans.

Whether or not they eventually make it to the 2027 World Cup, this comeback to domestic cricket symbolizes their enduring passion for the game — and their willingness to do what it takes to continue contributing to Indian cricket’s success story.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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