Did BCCI push Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play Vijay Hazare Trophy?

With the three-match ODI series against South Africa now wrapped up, the phase begins again in which Indian fans await the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. As per the India Cricket Schedule, their next appearance is slated for January in the India vs New Zealand white-ball series. However, recent updates from the domestic circuit have confirmed that the veterans will be back in action even before the New Zealand tour. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been confirmed to participate in the upcoming edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The update came after widespread speculation and debate, with allegations that the BCCI had coerced the senior players into taking part.

How much of a role did the BCCI play in getting Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to agree to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy?

It is now all but confirmed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to feature in a handful of matches during the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Both veterans have enjoyed a productive couple of months with Rohit clinching the Player of the Series award in the India vs Australia series and Kohli securing the same award in the recently concluded IND vs SA contest at home. Their long-term future has been under the scanner for some time, especially with questions swirling around their potential inclusion in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

In fact, ahead of the India vs Australia ODI series, multiple reports suggested that the pair might be required to turn up for the Vijay Hazare Trophy if they hoped to keep their ODI World Cup aspirations alive. After India’s defeat in the Border Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, the BCCI instructed all centrally contracted cricketers to appear in domestic competitions whenever the India Cricket Schedule allowed, reinforcing the board’s push toward strengthening domestic participation.

However, the call for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who remain active solely in the 50-over format, was viewed through a controversial lens. Both Sharma and Kohli proved their fitness and rhythm in Australia and again at home. Therefore, the demand for the senior players to appear in the domestic tournament was perceived as being driven by the board’s alleged agenda against them.

Now, the BCCI has offered clarity on whether either of the two giants of Indian cricket were persuaded to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. As per a recent report, a BCCI official dismissed the suggestion, shaking his head when asked if the board had nudged Kohli and Rohit into joining the tournament.

“They have decided, it’s their decision,” the official reportedly responded.

Notable, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli turned out for a Ranji Trophy fixture in January, shortly before announcing their retirement from Test cricket, a decision that arrived right before the squad for the England tour was revealed.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli recently confirmed his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy by informing the Delhi and District Cricket Association, a development the DDCA President, Rohan Jaitley, also acknowledged the update. Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, is expected to represent Mumbai once the competition begins on December 24.

Kohli amassed 302 runs in the three-match India vs South Africa series, while Rohit contributed 146. Kohli registered two centuries in consecutive matches and a half-century in the final. Meanwhile, Rohit notched up two fifties in the home series. Earlier, in the India vs Australia series, Rohit posted a century and a fifty, and Kohli added a half-century of his own in the final fixture after starting the series with consecutive ducks. Even with these strong outings, India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has continued to refrain from revealing whether the two modern-day legends will be part of the India squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.