Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have not been considered for the three-match ODI series between India A and South Africa A, scheduled to be played from November 13 to 19 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The series will feature several white-ball regulars as part of India’s preparations for the ODI series against South Africa from 30 November to 6 December.
There have been speculations that the two stalwarts could feature in India A matches to get match time. However, it appears that the top selection committee has decided against the move. The BCCI did not clarify whether Rohit and Kohli were approached or consulted about the possibility of turning to India A ahead of the ODI series.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made their much-anticipated return to international cricket in the three-match ODI series against Australia last month. While Kohli scored two ducks before hitting his fifty in Sydney, Rohit won the Player of the Series award. The former captain looked leaner and fitter, scoring 202 runs in three matches and showing signs of returning to top form and to regain the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI rankings for the dough.
With Rohit and Kohli now only playing the ODI format after retiring from Tests and T20Is, there has been intense speculation about their futures and their ability to remain fit for the match. Several pundits, including Sunil Gavaskar, have urged the two greats to play domestic cricket, including the Vijay Hazare Trophy – India’s premier domestic over-50 competition, which begins in December.
Captain Shubman Gill confirmed during the ODI series in Australia that there was no communication with Rohit or Kohli regarding their availability for the home or India A matches.
“There hasn’t been any conversation about it yet. There’s not a big gap left in the South Africa series. There’s a bit of a gap between the South Africa and New Zealand series. We’ll have a discussion after the South Africa series,” Gill said last month.
After the ODI series in South Africa, the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be played from December 24 to January 18.
India then host New Zealand in a three-match ODI series from January 11 to 18. With no ODIs scheduled before January 2026 between the South Africa and New Zealand series, speculation is rife that Rohit and Kohli may consider playing domestic cricket to remain fit for the match.
TILAK LEADS, BATTERY STRONG
Tilak Varma was named the captain of the India A team for the three-match one-day series, while Ruturaj Gaikwad was named the vice-captain.
World number one T20I batsman Abhishek Sharma is part of the one-day squad that also includes Ishan Kishan and Riyan Parag. Pacers Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna are also part of the squad.
The India A squad for the one-day series was announced along with the the squad for the two Tests against South Africa, starting November 14. Prasidh, who was part of the previous Test series against the West Indies in October, was released for the white-ball series with India A.
Akash Deep has taken Prasidh’s place in the Test squad, which also sees the return of vice-captain Rishabh Pant from injury.
INDIA SQUAD FOR ONE DAY SERIES VS SOUTH AFRICA A
Tilak Varma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmraned, PrabhKh (W).
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
November 5, 2025
