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"They have to play domestic cricket": Irfan Pathan issues bold warning to Rohit-Kohli

Arunima Purohit

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma [Source: @IPL2025Auction/X.com]Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma [Source: @IPL2025Auction/X.com]

The Indian selectors have announced the squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia. The fans are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to watch both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action during the ODI series, which begins on October 19. 

Since both players last played an ODI match back in March, and considering their match practice, former cricketer Irfan Pathan had some interesting suggestions for them on match practice ahead of the Australia series. Rohit and Kohli last featured in the IPL 2025. 

Irfan Pathan wants Rohit-Kohli to play domestic matches

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are two of the best players in white-ball cricket. Moreover, Rohit has improved his fitness to a great level, while Kohli is the epitome of fitness. However, the legendary batters are away from the game for almost four months. Hence, Irfan Pathan spoke on his YouTube channel about how Kohli and Rohit can play domestic matches to gain the much-needed match practice, as they don't even play T20Is. 

"Rohit has worked well on his fitness. He is focused on that. But there is regular fitness, and then there is game-time fitness. If you are not playing regular cricket, you have to ensure some game time. They have to play domestic cricket," said Pathan on his YouTube channel. 


"They are big players and know what to do. They have all the experience in the world. But they are not even playing T20Is, so there will be big gaps between the few matches that they play before the big World Cup. They will need regular game time to be fit for that. Only then will their dream to play the 2027 World Cup come true," he added.

Shubman Gill to captain India in ODIs

India's Test captain, Shubman Gill, is all set to captain the Indian team in the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Taking the responsibilities from Rohit Sharma in the ODIs, Gill is also the vice-captain of the team in the T20Is. The selectors have been eyeing him as an all-format captain, and after a splendid Test series in England, Gill's chances have increased drastically. 

While the new captain's performance was satisfactory in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025, it will be interesting to see how he performs in Australia. Meanwhile, the white-ball series will commence with a 3-match ODI series, followed by a 5-match T20I series.