Reports: Rohit Sharma eyeing India A games ahead of Australia tour
Rohit Sharma was last seen in international action during the Champions Trophy final earlier this year.
In an interesting development, Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma has reportedly expressed his willingness to participate in the three unofficial ODIs between India A and Australia A. The series is scheduled to be held in Kanpur from September 30 to October 5, just before India’s full tour of Australia, which will feature three ODIs and five T20Is.
Rohit was last seen in international action during the Champions Trophy final earlier this year, after which he announced his retirement from Test cricket. According to reports by RevSportz, the 38-year-old wants to use the unofficial ODIs as preparation for the Australia tour, ensuring he is not undercooked for the challenging conditions Down Under. He is also seen in training alongside Abhishek Nayar and the Australian series could potentially mark one of his last assignments in international cricket.
Currently, the 50-over format is the only one in which he remains active, having retired from T20Is in 2024 and Tests in 2025. The reports also noted that selectors are already looking beyond Rohit as they plan for the ODI World Cup in 2027. As part of this preparation, he may be asked to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting in December 2025, to remain in contention for the national ODI squad.
Additionally, the Indian selectors are expected to convene after the conclusion of the Asia Cup to discuss the future composition of the ODI side. The reliable middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Rohit as the next ODI captain once the veteran hangs his boots.
This development highlights Rohit’s intent to maintain match fitness and remain involved at the highest level, even as the team looks toward a transition. His participation in the India A series could provide an opportunity for the Men in Blue to fine-tune strategies ahead of a challenging Australian tour, while also giving selectors a chance to evaluate potential leadership options for the coming years.
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