AUS vs IND 2025: 'Very difficult to gauge their form and fitness' - Former selector on Rohit and Kohli's inclusion in ODI squad

Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar feels taking a call on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form and fitness might be critical. Rohit and Kohli were recently selected for India's 15-member ODI squad for the three-match series.

Vengsarkar opined that the judging the form and fitness of players active in only format will not be easy, especially considering the extensive gap between their last game and the one which they will be a part of.

“Rohit and Virat have been great players over the years, but if you are playing just one format of the game, I believe the selectors need to take a call on this. I feel you cannot know or judge the form and fitness of such players because they’ve had a long layoff after the last game they have played. It’s very difficult to assess their form and fitness,” stated Vengsarkar, as quoted by Mid-day.

The former Indian skipper also reckoned that the duo has been picked due to their stellar record in the format more than anything else.

“Rohit and Virat have possibly been picked because of their great records. They have been great players and have done yeomen service to Indian cricket, having won many matches in all formats of the game. But since they have not been playing Test match cricket as well as T20Is, and are playing only one format, one-day matches, which is not very often played during the season, it’s very difficult to gauge their form and fitness," he added.

India will play three ODIs Down Under, which will be followed by five 20-over games. The last time Rohit and Kohli wore the Indian colours was during the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy in March. They have already taken retirement from T20Is (after the T20 World Cup 2024) and Tests (prior to the England series).