The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a clear directive to senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — if they want to be part of India’s ODI setup for the 2027 World Cup, they must participate in domestic cricket. This move is aimed at ensuring that every player in contention maintains top fitness and form.
According to reports, BCCI has emphasized that both Rohit and Kohli will need to feature in domestic one-day tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy to stay match-ready. The board believes consistent domestic performance is vital, especially with the World Cup just two years away.
Both players have retired from T20 and Test formats, focusing solely on ODIs. However, selectors want to see them actively involved in competitive cricket rather than relying solely on reputation. This new policy reflects the board’s shift toward performance-based selection.
Sources within BCCI also mentioned that the selection committee will closely monitor domestic performances when forming the 2027 World Cup squad. Even though Rohit and Kohli remain key to India’s ODI lineup, they must prove their form through match time in domestic cricket.
With this decision, the BCCI has made its stance firm — no player, regardless of stature, is above the system. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s path to the 2027 World Cup now depends on their willingness to embrace domestic cricket once again.