Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Opt to Play Vijay Hazare Trophy Voluntarily, No Push From BCCI: Report

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to make a much-anticipated return to domestic cricket, with both senior India stars confirming their participation in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The pair, who now feature exclusively in ODIs for India, appear keen to maintain rhythm and match fitness after a strong run of performances in the recently concluded series against South Africa.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Opt to Play Vijay Hazare Trophy Voluntarily, Photo: ICC- X

While Rohit's availability had already been communicated earlier, reports now confirm that Kohli has also agreed to play. However, contrary to speculation suggesting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had instructed the veterans to feature in domestic cricket to safeguard their ODI futures, the board has clarified that the decision was entirely voluntary.

Responding to queries from RevSportz, a BCCI official dismissed the idea of any directive from the board, stating: "They have decided, it's their decision."

In recent months, both selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar and India head coach Gautam Gambhir have been vocal about the importance of domestic cricket participation, especially for players with extended breaks between international commitments. That firm push saw Rohit and Kohli turn out for their respective state teams in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year-something neither had done regularly in the past decade.

Despite the discussions surrounding their workload and long-term plans, the veteran duo continues to be central to India's ODI setup. Their performances in the South Africa series only reinforced their value, with both contributing significantly to India's 2-1 series triumph.

Speaking after the victory, Gambhir reiterated the importance of experience while stopping short of revealing whether Rohit and Kohli remain part of the long-term plan for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

"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," he said.

For now, their return to domestic cricket marks another chapter in their evolving careers-one where legacy, preparation, and intent continue to drive two of India's greatest modern-day cricketers.

Credit: Mykhel