Some highly debatable decisions in cricket make you question, wait, “Did that actually just happen?” That’s how fans felt when the BCCI left out the duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the India A squad to play three matches against Australia A in Kanpur. Yes, on the whole, India A squads are about developing the next generation; however, it is not like there was a rule that veterans couldn’t get a chance to get a run, too! Just on the heels of India’s blockbuster white-ball tour of Australia, it could have been the perfect dress rehearsal for the greatest ODI players we have seen play this sport. 

 

Missing Valuable Game Time Before a Tough Tour

 

To put it plainly, both Rohit and Virat are players not short on experience, but cricket is not like riding a bike; you can’t just jump back in and expect the muscle memory to do all the work. Both players last played competitive cricket in the 2025 IPL, and their last ODI match was during the Champions Trophy earlier this year. That is a long time to go without match practice leading into an intense ODI series in Australia.

 

Training nets and fitness drills are great, but nothing beats the rhythm of actual match situations—the pressure, the bowlers, the conditions. These List A games against Australia A would have offered just that: a low-stakes but competitive environment to sharpen skills and shake off the rust. Instead, they’ll be heading into Australia relying solely on training and muscle memory. 

 

Sending the Wrong Message About Their Future

 

Another reason their absence feels odd is the narrative it fuels about their long-term future. There’s already chatter that the selectors want to fast-track India’s ODI transition ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Fair enough—but leaving out Rohit, the current ODI skipper, and Virat, arguably the greatest ODI batter of all time, adds unnecessary fuel to that fire.

 

Even if they didn’t officially declare availability, slotting them in for a game or two would’ve been a clear signal: they’re still central to India’s plans. Do they not see them as key to the next phase? Whether intentional or not, this decision sends mixed signals that could have been avoided with a simpler approach.

 

India A’s Top Order Needed the Boost

 

Let’s talk about balance. The India A squad is stacked with exciting talent—Rajat Patidar, Tilak Varma, Riyan Parag, Ravi Bishnoi—the list goes on. But in the first ODI squad, there’s only one established opener in Prabhsimran Singh. Priyansh Arya is promising but doesn’t exactly have the numbers to back up a solid List A record yet. That leaves a fragile-looking top order.

 

Now consider adding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to that batting lineup. You have a stable top, and you immediately have an excellent combination of youth and experience. You would also have had the youngsters learning right before their eyes, not in a classroom, but in a living game situation. The value of mentors is priceless.

 

FAQs 

 

  1. Why were Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not included in the India A squad?

They were left out as the selectors chose to focus on grooming young players for the future.

 

  1. When was the last time Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli played competitive cricket?

Their last outing came during the 2025 IPL, with their most recent ODI appearance in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

 

  1. Why would playing in the India A series have helped Rohit and Kohli?

It would have provided valuable match practice ahead of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia.