Vengsarkar Questions Rohit and Kohli’s ODI Picks: ‘How Did Selectors Judge?’; Calls on Agarkar to Move Forward

Dilip Vengsarkar questioned the selection of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the Australia ODIs, highlighting their limited recent competitive play.

Dilip Vengsarkar Questions Kohli and Rohit’s ODI Selection

Former Indian chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has raised questions about the selection of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, set to begin on October 19. Both senior batters were named in the Shubman Gill-led ODI squad on Saturday, marking their return to competitive cricket for the first time since the IPL 2025 earlier this year.

Speaking to mid-day, Vengsarkar questioned the criteria used by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to pick Kohli and Rohit, given their absence from international cricket since India’s Champions Trophy victory in March. He also noted that the two players are now active only in the ODI format, having retired from T20Is in June 2024 and Tests in May 2025.

“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. It’s very difficult to assess their form and fitness,” said Vengsarkar.

He added, “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, it’s 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.”

Kohli and Rohit Cleared for Fitness, Future in ODIs Uncertain

Ajit Agarkar, speaking to the media last Saturday, confirmed that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had passed their mandatory pre-season fitness tests. However, he hinted that their selection for the Australia tour does not guarantee a place in India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The upcoming three-match series will be crucial in determining whether the selectors keep them in contention for future ODI matches against South Africa and New Zealand and eventually include them in World Cup plans.

While both players may aim to extend their careers until the 2027 World Cup, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar suggested that the selectors should consider moving forward with players available across all three formats.

“It’s 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,” Vengsarkar concluded.

Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!

• How To Get Free Bonus On E2Bet
• What is E2bet