The return of cricket heavyweights Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to India’s One-Day International (ODI) squad for the upcoming tour of Australia has been confirmed, but it is accompanied by a cloud of uncertainty regarding their long-term future.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced the squad for the white-ball tour, which begins on October 19. While both senior batsmen have been named in the ODI team—their first national appearance in seven months—Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar addressed rampant speculation about whether the tour Down Under could be their international swansong.
Speaking at a press conference, Agarkar revealed that neither star player is currently committed to playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“That’s the format they [Virat and Rohit] are at the moment playing. As far as the 2027 World Cup is concerned, I don’t think we need to talk about it today. Obviously, with the captaincy change, that’s generally the thought,” Agarkar stated, referencing the earlier decision to name Shubman Gill as the new ODI captain for the Australia series, replacing Rohit Sharma.
The chief selector’s comments on the duo being “non-committal” signal a clear transition phase for the Indian ODI team as it begins a new cycle focused on developing future leaders like Gill.
Kohli’s London Fitness Test Cleared
Agarkar also moved to quell a separate minor controversy concerning Virat Kohli’s mandatory fitness test. Unlike most of his teammates, including Rohit Sharma, who underwent their tests at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, Kohli was examined in London.
Reports suggested Kohli had sought special permission from the BCCI to complete his fitness test in the United Kingdom.
Insisting that all protocols were followed, Agarkar confirmed, “I think they’ve both done their fitness tests or the fitness norms that have been suggested… Everyone who’s been picked has been declared fit and available.” This confirms that Kohli met all the required physical standards for selection, despite the non-standard location for his assessment.
The selection committee’s decisions indicate a blend of continuity, by including the veteran batters for their experience, and a definitive eye on the future by appointing a young captain and addressing the commitment of the senior players for the long haul.