Indian cricket fans might not have to wait until October to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in action. If the rumours are to be believed, the two stalwarts are set to feature for India A in the unofficial ODI series against Australia A later this month. The three matches will be played in Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium from September 30 to October 5, following the red-ball youth Tests in Lucknow, whose squad has already been announced.
According to a report from Hindustan Times, quoted by News18, Kohli is expected to fly back from London to join the squad, while Rohit, who has already cleared his fitness drills at the NCA in Bengaluru, will also be drafted in. Recently, Rohit Sharma even passed a yo-yo test at the Centre of Excellence. The move comes as part of the duo’s preparation for the Australia tour in October, where India are scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20Is.
Why the India A stint matters for Rohit and Virat
For two men who have defined Indian batting for nearly 15 years, an India A stint would seem like a step backwards on paper. In reality, it’s an opportunity to tune up after a seven-month gap from international cricket. The games will allow them to get back into rhythm before the ODIs in Australia, where the spotlight will inevitably return.
There’s also the rarity factor. Both Kohli and Rohit last turned out for India A in the late 2000s and early 2010s, long before they became household names. They last featured for India when the Men in Blue beat New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on February 19 under Hitman’s captaincy.
