Virat Kohli Refuses to Play Vijay Hazare Trophy, Leaves BCCI in Dilemma

There is growing tension in the Indian cricket team over how the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are being handled. According to NDTV sources, the bond between Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir has become weak because they disagree on some important issues about Kohli’s future.

A source also said that while Rohit Sharma has told the BCCI selection committee that he is available to play in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, Virat Kohli has said he will not take part in the domestic one-day tournament. This stance contrasts with Rohit's apparent keenness to play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, having also made himself available for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament to maintain his match fitness.

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Virat Kohli Batter

Virat Kohli is a professional cricketer and former captain of the Indian national team.

Kohli, on the other hand, reportedly believes he is not in favour of 'excessive preparation'. The BCCI, hence, is in a tricky state, as they aren't keen on making an exception for a player, even if the said player is of the stature of Virat Kohli. 

Kohli Refuses Vijay Hazare Trophy, BCCI Faces Dilemma

"The issue is with the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He (Kohli) simply doesn't want to play. When Rohit [Sharma] is also playing, how can there be an exception for one player? And what do we tell the other players? That someone is different from all of you?" the source told NDTV.

The BCCI selection committee and coach Gambhir have always encouraged players to play in domestic cricket. In fact, it was the BCCI’s insistence that made both Rohit and Kohli play in the Ranji Trophy after India’s poor Test series in Australia.

After the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, Kohli said he will rely on his strong foundation from years of hard work and focus only on ODIs for India.

"I've never been a believer in a lot of prep. All my cricket has been mental. I work physically very hard, as long as my fitness levels are up, and then you visualise batting and feeling well, it's good," Kohli said.

Sources say the BCCI sent selector Pragyan Ojha to Raipur, where the second ODI between India and South Africa is, to help resolve issues between Kohli and Gambhir.

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by K D Mishra December 2, 2025