Top News

New Delhi: Former chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has raised concerns over the inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Indias ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia starting October 19. Both Virat and Rohit last featured in the IPL 2025 and represented India during the ICC Champions Trophy in February following their Test retirements ahead of the England tour. Vengsarkar questioned the reason behind the selection process stating that he was uncertain how the selectors assessed their fitness and form which are important factors in team selection and suggested that their past achievements might have influenced the decision. Vengsarkar questioned the reason behind Rohit and Kohlis selection Rohit and Virat have been great players over the years but if you are playing just one format of the game I believe the selectors need to take a call on this. I feel you cannot know or judge the form and fitness of such players because they’ve had a long layoff after the last game they have played. Its very difficult to assess their form and fitness Vengsarkar told Mid-Day. Rohit and Virat have possibly been picked because of their great records. They have been great players and have done yeomen service to Indian cricket having won many matches in all formats of the game. But since they have not been playing Test match cricket as well as T20s and are playing only one format one-day matches which is not very often played during the season its very difficult to gauge their form and fitness. But since they have been picked the selectors may have checked that though I don’t know how added the former India skipper. Rohit and Kohlis participation in the 2027 World Cup is still unclear Although Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been named in Indias ODI squad for the Australia tour their participation in the 2027 World Cup is still unclear. Since neither player has committed to participating in the tournament their inclusion will be determined solely by their performance and form. The selectors will ultimately have to decide whether to stick with the seasoned duo or shift focus toward players who are available across all three formats. Its really up to the selectors whether they want to stick with Rohit and Virat or look ahead and give opportunities to those players who are available for all formats of the game. It depends on how they look at Indian cricket going ahead concluded Vengsarkar. Story Highlight Former chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has raised concerns over the inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Indias ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia Vengsarkar questioned the reason behind the selection process stating that he was uncertain how the selectors assessed their fitness and form which are important factors in team selection Although Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been named in Indias ODI squad for the Australia tour their participation in the 2027 World Cup is still unclear.