Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are gearing up for a return to international cricket. The veterans will make a comeback on the Australia tour where India will play three ODIs from October 19. Rumours were doing rounds that the veterans could play for India A against Australia A to get themselves warmed up for the big tour, but the has made it clear that no talks have taken place to pick the legends for the India A squad.
The games will be played on September 30, October 3, and October 5 at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. Rohit and Kohli are currently working hard to get match-ready, with reportedly shredding eight kgs for the series.
According to a report in the Times of India, which quoted a BCCI official as saying, Rohit and Kohli could play a game or two for India A if they feel they need some game time before the Australia tour, but they will not be forced to play the series.
“See it’s highly unlikely that they will play the three India A games. No call has been taken on that and it will not be forced upon them too. Only if they need some game time, you could see them play one, or even two, games before the Australia ODIs. But nothing has been finalised yet. They are very much fit and available for the Australia ODIs,” a senior BCCI official told TimesofIndia.com.
“Before the selectors decide the India A squad and then the India squads for the Australia tour, the Irani Cup squad will be announced and some selectors are set to watch the Duleep Trophy final in Bengaluru, while Ajit Agarkar is with the team in Dubai,” added the official.
Fitness Test Doesn’t Guarantee Selection
Recently, Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, gave their pre-season mandatory fitness Test. While Rohit gave his test at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, Kohl’s test was reportedly done in London.
The BCCI official said those were routine fitness Tests, and every contracted player is bound to give the test, saying that it doesn’t guarantee a selection in the India squad.
“Those were the routine fitness tests. All the contracted players go through the fitness test twice a year. Nothing unusual there or something which affects or will have a say in selection,” says the official