Indian cricket fans have reason to celebrate as two of the nation’s biggest icons, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, are all set to make their long-awaited return to competitive cricket. According to reports, the legendary duo is set to feature in the upcoming India A vs Australia A series, which will be played at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur later this month.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s recent career moves
Both Rohit and Kohli have transitioned away from the shorter formats of the game. After guiding India through the 2024 T20 World Cup, the pair officially retired from T20 internationals. They continue to play ODI cricket, but bid farewell to Test cricket in May 2025.
The last time the two stalwarts played together was in the ODI final against New Zealand in Dubai in March 2025, making this comeback series a special moment for their fans.
Schedule for Australia A in Kanpur
The much-anticipated three-match List-A series between India A and Australia A is scheduled to take place on: September 30, October 3 and October 5.
All matches will be hosted at Kanpur’s iconic Green Park Stadium, known for its passionate crowd and historic significance in Indian cricket.
Rohit and Virat’s fitness test before selection
While the BCCI has not yet officially announced the white-ball squad for the series, both players have been preparing behind the scenes. Rohit recently cleared his fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Virat reportedly underwent his fitness assessment in London.
If selected for the series against Australia A, Kohli will need to undergo a routine fitness test in Bengaluru before rejoining the national setup. These steps highlight the BCCI’s focus on maintaining strict fitness standards ahead of India’s busy international calendar.
Also READ: Shreyas Iyer named captain as BCCI announces India A squad for multi-day matches against Australia A
For the unversed, Rohit and Kohli’s most recent competitive appearance came during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where both made notable contributions for their respective franchises. Since then, they have taken a break from international duties, making their anticipated return in the India A matches even more significant for fans and selectors.
Why Virat and Rohit’s comeback is so important?
With the Asia Cup 2025 underway and the ODI World Cup 2027 cycle on the horizon, India’s bench strength and senior players’ fitness are crucial. Having Rohit and Virat back in action, even through India A, will provide selectors with an opportunity to assess their form and readiness for future ODI assignments.
