Reports: Virat Kohli refuses to play Vijay Hazare Trophy amidst growing speculation over his future

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli has expressed his decision to skip the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, triggering fresh talks around his future in Indian cricket. With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) having made domestic participation mandatory for all players, Kohli’s refusal has placed the selectors and team management in a difficult position. The development comes amid increasing chatter about his long-term role in the ODI setup, especially with the 2027 World Cup still two years away.

According to a NDTV report, differences between Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir have been growing steadily since the batter retired from Test cricket. The relationship has reportedly cooled further due to disagreements over the batter's preparation methods and future workload. While Rohit Sharma has agreed to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy and even made himself available for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Kohli has declined.

Notably, the former India skipper does not want to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, despite the BCCI advising all senior players to compete in domestic cricket before finalizing long-term ODI plans. The board is reluctant to make exceptions, stating that even players like Kohli must follow the same rules applied to every player.

Kohli doesn't believe in excessive match practice

The selectors’ concern comes from the reduced workload of both Kohli and Rohit after retiring from Tests and T20Is. With fewer ODIs scheduled in the next two years, participation in domestic List A cricket becomes important for making them match-ready. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has reportedly insisted that domestic appearances are necessary for continued selection.

However, Kohli has indicated that he relies more on mental preparation than excessive match practice. After his 52nd ODI century in Ranchi, he revealed he is never a believer in a lot of preparation. To address the growing tension, the board has sent selector Pragyan Ojha to Raipur during the India-South Africa ODI series to mediate between Kohli and Gambhir. Reports also suggest uncertainty around Kohli’s schedule post-series, with speculation that he could return to London before rejoining Delhi for a few domestic matches.