Both Kohli and Rohit sharma to play Vijay Hazare Trophy as directed by BCCI

[sage]

https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/virat-kohli-gautam-gambhir-rohit-sharma-vijay-hazare-trophy-india-odi-report-13956081.html

 

Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were expected to play the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy in order to remain in contention for the 2027 ICC World Cup. However, while Rohit has shown inclination towards representing Mumbai, Kohli has reportedly refused to participate in the country’s premier domestic List A competition.

According to a report on NDTV, Kohli has gone against the BCCI’s directive which mandates centrally-contracted cricketers, including the captain and other seniors, to make regular appearances in domestic cricket.

 

“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?” a source was quoted by NDTV as saying.

 

Kohli had also sent a subtle message to the BCCI after his match-winning century against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday. When asked about staying match fit and maintaining his form during gaps between ODI assignments, the 37-year-old responded by saying that he wasn't a believer of playing too many games in order to remain at the peak of his powers.

“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,” the Royal Challengers Bengaluru superstar had said after accepting the Player of the Match award in Ranchi.

 

Kohli-Gambhir rift out in the open now

The report also claimed that relations between Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir have once again soured, with the former’s future with the Indian team appearing to be the bone of contention between the two.

The cold relations between the two Delhi lads has in turn affected the atmosphere in the dressing room and has forced the BCCI to dispatch national selector Pragyan Ojha to play mediator between the two after the Ranchi ODI.

Kohli was seen ignoring Gambhir, who has had a mixed run since taking over as India head coach in July last year, after the Men in Blue’s victory in the Jharkhand capital.

And former India left-arm spinner Ojha, who has shared the Indian dressing room with Kohli as well as Gambhir, was seen engaged in an intense discussion with the former at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport after the first ODI.

Whether Ojha’s discussion with Kohli leads to a hug with Gambhir in the second ODI in Raipur, and a change of heart for the star batter as far as his domestic participation is concerned is something that remains to be seen.

 

Edited December 3, 2025 by Austin 3:!6

[Lord]

 

Fake news

 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/virat-kohli-confirms-availability-to-ddca-to-play-vijay-hazare-trophy-sources/articleshow/125723740.cms?from=mdr

[kosingh]

Gambhir and Kohli can both be kicked out. Indian cricket doesn't need these Delhi egos.

 

[kepler37b]

A washed up egoistic former star should NOT be requested to play.  He must be kept at arm's length.

 

has Delhi association has gone mad? Or it was never even a medium IQ to begin with?

[Gollum]

Gambhir PR at work I think. 

[Stan AF]

Yowww, it's fake news.

 

He's playing.

 

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/virat-kohli-set-to-play-vijay-hazare-trophy-2025-26-for-delhi-1514119