Former Indian chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has cast a shadow of doubt over the recent selection of cricketing icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the much-anticipated three-match One-Day International series against Australia, set to begin on October 19th. Both seasoned batsmen were recently included in the ODI squad, which will be led by young sensation Shubman Gill.
This series marks a significant return for both Kohli and Rohit to competitive cricket, as their last outing was during the IPL 2025. Their most recent international appearance dates back to the Champions Trophy in March.
Vengsarkar highlighted a critical aspect of their current situation: their exclusive focus on ODI cricket. Both players have retired from T20 Internationals in June 2024 and Test cricket in May of the same year.
“Rohit and Virat have been phenomenal players throughout their careers,” Vengsarkar told Mid-Day. “However, if you’re concentrating on just one format, I believe the selectors need to seriously consider their approach. It becomes incredibly challenging to gauge the current form and fitness of such players, especially after an extended break from the game.”
He continued, “While Rohit and Virat have undoubtedly earned their places through outstanding records and have provided invaluable service to Indian cricket across all formats, their absence from Test and T20 cricket means one-day matches are their only avenue to play, and these aren’t always frequent during the season. This makes it very difficult to truly assess their readiness. Although they’ve been selected, the selectors must have conducted some form of assessment, though I’m not entirely sure how.”
Adding to the narrative, current chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that both players successfully cleared their mandatory pre-season fitness tests. However, he subtly suggested that their inclusion in the Australia tour doesn’t automatically guarantee their spots in the squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The upcoming series against Australia will therefore serve as a critical litmus test, potentially influencing the selectors’ decisions for future ODI assignments against powerhouses like South Africa and New Zealand, which in turn could significantly impact their World Cup aspirations.
Despite the players’ potential desire to prolong their careers until the 2027 ODI World Cup, Vengsarkar proposed a forward-thinking strategy for the selection committee: “Ultimately, it’s up to the selectors whether they want to continue with Rohit and Virat or explore new talents and provide opportunities to players who are actively competing in all formats of the game. Their decision will define the future trajectory of Indian cricket.”