New Delhi– Indian cricket icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are poised to make their return to the ODI squad as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee prepares to finalize squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia.
The two senior batters, who last featured in India’s victorious 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, had stepped away from T20 internationals after lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup and officially retired from Test cricket earlier this year in May.
According to sources, selectors could name the squads on Saturday, though the timing of the announcement may hinge on the conclusion of the first Test against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It will also mark the first selection meeting for RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha, who recently joined the five-member panel following their appointment at the BCCI AGM on September 28.
“There’s been a steady inquiry on the fitness status of players in contention for the tour. It’s now up to the selectors to decide who will be chosen for which format,” a source told IANS on Friday.
Although Rohit and Kohli haven’t played competitive cricket since IPL 2025, both have been preparing steadily for a packed ODI calendar. Rohit even visited the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to fine-tune his batting and fitness.
India’s tour of Australia begins with three ODIs scheduled for October 19 in Perth, October 23 in Adelaide, and October 25 in Sydney. The ODIs will be followed by a five-match T20I series from October 29 to November 8.
Questions remain over the availability of Hardik Pandya, who injured his quadriceps during India’s dramatic Super Over win against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup and subsequently missed the final. If he is ruled out, Nitish Kumar Reddy could be in line to join Shivam Dube as an all-round option. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is making progress in his recovery from a fractured right foot at the CoE, but his inclusion will depend on a fitness review.
With KL Rahul expected to don the gloves in ODIs, Sanju Samson could feature as the backup keeper in the 50-over squad while retaining his T20I spot. Dhruv Jurel, who recently struck his maiden Test century, is also a name under discussion.
Selectors are also weighing the workload of key players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, and Kuldeep Yadav, given the demanding Australian tour and the home Test series against South Africa starting November 14 in Kolkata. If Gill is rested, options like Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, or B Sai Sudharsan could step in as direct replacements. (Source: IANS)
