• Source:JND
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IND vs AUS: Star Indian batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are in the twilight of their magnificent careers, are expected to feature in at least three or four Vijay Hazare Trophy games before India takes on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series in January. As per a report in PTI, BCCI is expecting them to play the VHT series in case they are still aiming to play the 2027 World Cup.

As per India's FTP (Future Tour Programs), India will play South Africa in a three-match ODI series in November and December before they play the Blackcaps in January 2026. At least six rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy games for domestic sides Delhi and Mumbai are scheduled, with national selectors would expect that the aging duo play in the 50-over event.

While announcing the squad for the Australia Tour, chief selector Ajit Agarkar made it clear that every centrally contracted player, who is fit and available, is expected to play domestic cricket.

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"Between last ODI against South Africa on December 6 at Visakhapatnam and the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara on January 11, there is a gap of five weeks.

"The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24. There will be six rounds of games for Mumbai (December 24, 26, 29, 31, Jan 3, 6, 8). Rohit will be expected to at least play three rounds before linking up with the squad. Ditto for Virat," a BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Rohit, Virat Might Need To Play Domestic Circuit: Ashwin

Even Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel had said that both of them might need to play a bit of domestic cricket to get into the groove and could have actually played the India A series.

“If you need their services, you have to find a way. For example, the India ‘A' series happened, so you need to ask them to play that series because there is not much 50-over cricket. They should have said that if you don't play the series, I don't think you fit in the plan.

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"If not this series, then they have to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, because that will let us know the kind of form you are in,” Ashwin said.

Inputs from PTI