"It's Bogus Talk": Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's Selection Route Through Vijay Hazare Trophy Route Trashed
Some reports have claimed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma need to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy to enhance their chances. In the midst of this, former India opener Aakash Chopra has said that it's all 'bogus talk.'
"The chatter about playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy — the tournament will happen in November–December. What's the point? There are nine ODIs for India till the next IPL (3 vs Australia in October, 3 vs South Africa in November, and 3 against New Zealand in January 2026). That's about it — just nine days of cricket action for you. That would be over 100 days since you played an IPL match and the next ODI you play. You're not playing at all. You're not practising," Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"A three-match series gets over in seven to eight days. Then the next one would be after three months. Gaps are just incredibly huge, and you won't play first-class cricket in between. It's true that had they continued playing Test cricket and left ODIs, staying in the groove would have been a lot easier.
"Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli don't have to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy — they wouldn't be selected based on their performance in the tournament, let's be honest about this. It's bogus talk. If they had played Tests and left ODIs, staying in the groove would have been easier.
"When you have retired from Tests, and ODI cricket is not played much, it is not going to make a lot of sense. So just two months of high-intensity IPL, where you would get to play 14 to 16 innings, and then you would play three matches after six months, and then three matches after another three months — I think it is very, very difficult."
Virat and Rohit are two of the finest ODI players produced by India, with Virat having made 14,181 runs in 302 matches and 290 innings at an average of 57.88, with 51 centuries and 74 fifties. His best score is 183.
On the other hand, Rohit has scored 11,168 runs in 272 matches and 265 innings at an average of 48.76, with 32 centuries and 59 fifties and a best score of 264.
Both last played ODIs in the ICC Champions Trophy, which they won, with Virat scoring 218 runs in five matches at an average of 54.50, with a century against Pakistan and a knock of 84 against Australia in the semifinals being his top contributions. Rohit had a more mixed tournament but nonetheless came in clutch with a title-sealing 76 in the final, ending the tournament with 180 runs at an average of 36.00 and a strike rate of 100.00.
The legendary duo has sustained a sensational run of form since 2023, the World Cup year. Virat has scored 1,710 runs in 37 matches and 34 innings at an average of 61.07, while striking at above 95, with seven centuries and 10 fifties. His best score is 166*.
In 38 ODIs and 37 innings, Rohit has scored 1,714 runs at an average of 48.97, with a stupendous strike rate of 117.24, with three centuries and 12 fifties, with his best score being 131.
Their next ODI assignment will be three matches against Australia, starting from October 19 onwards. With three more ODIs scheduled from November to December against South Africa at home, three against New Zealand in January at home, and a summer tour to England for three ODIs in July, fans would be hoping that Rohit and Virat make the most of these outings with their consistency and reflexes to keep their chances of going to the World Cup alive.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Sanju Samson sends huge statement of intent to BCCI, Ajit Agarkar days before India's Asia Cup squad announcement
Sanju Samson has had a year in which he has struggled with consistent injuries not allowing him to string together a run of games. With concerns about his game time and his potential form ahead of the Asia Cup beginning at the end of this month, Samson settled some nerves as he scored a fluent half-century in an exhibition match for the Kerala Cricket Association. Sanju Samson in action during the KCA warm-up match.(X) Playing for the KCA Secretary's XI against the KCA President's XI in a match on Independence Day to inaugurate the new floodlights system at Greenfield Stadium in Trivandrum, Samson led his team against Ranji Trophy state captain Sachin Baby's unit. The Secretary's XI was set a total of 185 to chase down after the first innings, and Samson surprisingly came in at number 4, down the order from the role he has made his own in the top three at the IPL and international level. Coming in at the end of the powerplay, Samson played an anchoring role in the chase, not trying to force the issue, with teammate Vishnu Vinod doing the bulk of the scoring with a terrific 69(29) from the other end. Nevertheless, Samson never got stuck, looking fluent enough as he worked his way to 54(36). It isn't an innings that will tear up roots, but one that will give the selection committee and coaching staff of the national team some confidence in terms of his return to form. Samson would fall after scoring 54, however, and the match would go down to the last over, and to the last wicket. On the second-last ball of the innings, with one wicket in hand, Basil Thampi hit a match-winning six to seal the game in the Secretary XI's favour by the narrowest of margins. Samson also took a blinder of a catch fielding at slip to dismiss his opposite captain. Other players who impressed in this match at the Greenfield Stadium outside of the belligerent Vishnu Vinod were two batters from the President's XI, Rohan Kunnummal with 60(29) and Abhijith Praveen's 47(18), making for an electric encounter. Elsewhere off the field, part of Samson's focus might well be on his future in the IPL, where he has made clear his desire to part ways with Rajasthan Royals despite having their captaincy ahead of IPL 2026. Trades are being considered, with teams such as CSK and KKR weighing up their options.
India.com
15 minutes ago
- India.com
Former Australian Cricketer and Captain Bob Simpson dies at age of 89
Former Australian Cricketer and Captain Bob Simpson dies at age of 89 New Delhi: Former Australia captain and coach Bob Simpson died at the age of 89. He was born in Sydney and in 1957 he first toured with the Australian team. Simpson played 62 Test matches, captaining 39 of them. He scored 4,869 runs and took 71 wickets. Under his captaincy, Australia won 12 Test matches. What was his cricket career? Simpson had a long and memorable career. He scored his first Test century in 1964 at Old Trafford and converted it into a triple century (311 runs). He was the first captain to score a triple century in Test cricket. This record remained in his name for 61 years, which was broken by South Africa's Wiaan Mulder in 2025. When and why did he return to the field? Simpson retired from cricket after 1967, but in 1977 at the age of 41, he was persuaded to take charge of the team. During the World Series Cricket, the team was scattered and his return gave stability to Australia. During this time, he also scored two centuries and performed brilliantly. Why was the coach special? Simpson became Australia's first full-time coach. Under his guidance, Australia won the first World Cup in 1987. He groomed many legendary players like Shane Warne and took the team to new heights. His coaching tenure is considered the golden era of Australian cricket. What were his achievements? Bob Simpson scored 21,029 runs in first-class cricket, including 60 centuries and 349 wickets. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. Cricket Australia and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described his contribution as 'service to be remembered for generations'.
India.com
15 minutes ago
- India.com
'Shubman Gill and India need Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli': Star India cricketer reflects on No.1 and No.3 position in ODIs
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Following their Test cricket retirement in May this year, India's batting greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have now officially entered the final stage of their illustrious careers, leaving questions over their international future. However, India's Test transition went smoothly in the absence of the stalwarts during the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with new captain Shubman Gill, along with KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant, securing their highest-ever series aggregates. India's next ODI assignment is scheduled in October against Australia, while the World Cup is still two years away, leaving uncertainty over whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will remain part of the plans until then. By the time of the tournament, Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 39, provided they continue to enjoy the backing of the BCCI and the team management under Gautam Gambhir. Meanwhile, reports also suggest that Rohit could soon be asked to step down as ODI captain to pave the way for Shubman Gill's rise as India's leader in the 50-over format heading into the 2027 World Cup. Suresh Raina reflects on the experience of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Team Meanwhile, star India cricketer Suresh Raina thinks both white-ball cricket star have a lot more to give and that Gill and Team India will benefit greatly from their one-day format knowledge prior to the World Cup. 'India don't have dependable players at No. 1 and No. 3 (in ODIs) at the moment, especially when chasing,' Raina told in an inteview with Telecom Asia Sport. 'Rohit and Virat's experience is very important. It's crucial for the seniors to stay involved with the juniors. Shubman (Gill) has done really well, but he needs players like Virat and Rohit,' the 2011 World Cup winner added. Just five months ago, Rohit and Kohli's remarkable performances in the Champions Trophy in the United Arab Emirates erased the memories of a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia. While Rohit scored the most runs and was named player of the match in a winning final against New Zealand, Kohli's 84-run knock and game-winning century against Pakistan helped set up the semi-final victory over Australia. 'They have won the Champions Trophy, they have won the World Cups. Virat won the last IPL also. For the astute leadership they have shown during their respective careers, they need to be part of the dressing room,' Raina added. Rohit-Kohli might return in October Rohit and Kohli might make their comeback to international cricket in October when the Men in Blue tour Australia for three ODIs and T20Is, as India will be participating in the T20 Asia Cup and the ensuing home Test matches in September. On October 19, the series' one-day leg will kick off in Perth, with matches to follow in Adelaide and Sydney.
