‘We’ll see once…’ – Ajit Agarkar non-committal on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test future

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the media with skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday. The former India pacer announced the ODI squad for the home series against England and upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. One of the key questions asked was about the Test future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 

India’s veteran batting duo have been under the scanner for their woeful form during the Australian tour. While Kohli had scored one century during the tour, Rohit had managed to score just 31 runs before opting out of the final Test match. Team India’s next Test assignment is against England with a five-match series set to begin in June. 

When asked to comment on the duo’s future in the red-ball format, Agarkar said “It’s a month away from the Champions Trophy. These guys have been exceptional performers in one-day cricket. We’ll see once the Champions Trophy is done; we’ve got a bit more time to sit and assess where everyone is. Not just one of the players but where we go forward. But at the moment, the focus is on one-day cricket and the Champions Trophy." 

Rohit Sharma confirms participation in Ranji Trophy game against Jammu and Kashmir

Defending champions Mumbai are set to see Rohit Sharma play in their next game against Jammu and Kashmir. The 37-year-old had confirmed his participation during the media interaction on Saturday. Rohit came up with a three word reply when asked if he was going to take part in the game and said “Yes I will”. 

The 37-year-old then went onto add “If you go back and watch our calendar, there hasn't been a time where we were sitting at home for 45 days and there is cricket going on. You do get that time when you finish IPL, and if there's nothing happening right after that. But if you see our domestic season, it starts in October, maybe September. And it gets over by March, February-March. And that is the time India plays a lot of cricket as well,"

Meanwhile, former skipper Virat Kohli has opted out of the next Ranji match for Delhi against Saurashtra. One unnamed DDCA source while speaking to the media said “Kohli has been advised rest because of a neck sprain sustained during the final Test against Australia at Sydney. He is not available for the Saurashtra game. About the Railways game, which is also Delhi's last league encounter, we are still not sure”