Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Clear Fitness Tests but Unlikely to Play India A Matches

As expected, India’s star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are unlikely to feature in the India A vs Australia A one-day series. With no domestic games on their schedule, the three unofficial ODIs could have acted as a warm-up for the two former captains. However, the BCCI is not expected to force them to play alongside youngsters before the India vs Australia ODI series in October. This means their return to action has been delayed, with both set to skip the upcoming three-match unofficial series in Kanpur.

The Indian selectors are preparing to name the India A squad for the upcoming 50-over games against Australia A. The matches will be played at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on September 30, October 3, and October 5. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy have been on a three-month break since IPL 2025. With both having retired from T20Is and Test cricket, they will now return straight for the three-match ODI series in Australia.

"See it's highly unlikely that they will play the three India A games. No call has been taken on that and it will not be forced upon them too. Only if they need some game time, you could see them play one, or even two, games before the Australia ODIs. But nothing has been finalised yet. They are very much fit and available for the Australia ODIs," a senior BCCI official told TimesofIndia.

"Before the selectors decide the India A squad and then the India squads for Australia tour, Irani Cup squad will be announced and some selectors are set to watch the Duleep Trophy final in Bengaluru while Ajit Agarkar is with the team in Dubai," adds the official.

Routine Fitness Tests Completed by Senior Stars

With the Bangladesh series pushed to next year and a planned Sri Lanka tour not happening, India had no international cricket for over a month. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both retired from Test cricket did not feature in the ongoing Duleep Trophy and the only 50-over games available are the India A vs Australia A matches. The selectors won’t force them to play, leaving the choice up to the players. Recently, both underwent routine fitness tests Rohit at the CoE in Bengaluru and Kohli from London.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have cleared their fitness tests ahead of the Australia tour. Kohli took his test in London, while Rohit completed his at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru last week. A BCCI official clarified that these are just routine checks done twice a year and have no impact on team selection, downplaying any talk around Kohli doing his test in London.

"Those were the routine fitness tests. All the contracted players go through the fitness test twice a year. Nothing unusual there or something which affects or will have a say in selection," says the official.

ALSO READ: Brendon McCullum Provides Latest Fitness Update on Stokes, Wood and England Squad