Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma will have to play all the domestic tournaments across India to get back into rhythm: Kris Srikkanth

Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has stated that the veteran batting duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma need to have a good game time by participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and other domestic tournaments before they make it to the Indian ODI squad.

Notably, Kohli and Rohit are expected to be a part of the three-match ODI series against Australia Down Under, which is scheduled to start on Sunday, October 19, at New Optus Stadium in Perth.

"The very fact that they've said they are available, they both want to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, hoping that they win the title, having missed it by a whisker in 2023. I'll surely give it to them because they've done so much. They will have to play all the domestic tournaments across India. You should tell them to start playing the one-day tournaments like Vijay Hazare and other challengers so that they get back into rhythm,” Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

Interestingly, both talismanic batters failed to make themselves available for the India A one-day series against Australia A, which is expected to start later this month at Green Park in Kanpur. Shreyas Iyer is set to lead the squad in three-match one-day series.

"I am sure they themselves know it, having been such stalwarts and successful former captains. Won't they not have that much awareness? They'll know what to do and what not to do. For people who've achieved so much, especially Virat Kohli, I'll give them the extra bit of leverage,” he added.

"They have to get atleast some match practice. And they'll come and do it. They'll do it automatically, you don't even have to tell them. Probably Virat Kohli is practicing in England. How do we know? It's a cricket playing country. Likewise, Rohit Sharma is probably practicing here. So they will be preparing for it," he concluded.

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