Veteran stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma might return to India’s ODI lineup next month—provided the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) accepts Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) proposal for a short white-ball series in August.
With India’s tour of Bangladesh, originally set for August 17–31, postponed to 2026 due to security concerns and scheduling conflicts, SLC has stepped in with a plan to fill the gap. The replacement series would include three ODIs and three T20Is.
The BCCI, however, has yet to respond formally. According to sources, any decision will hinge on discussions involving new head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. A BCCI official told Cricbuzz on July 9, “There is a request pending from SLC, but we have not decided on it yet. We will have to see the situation with the Asia Cup. Everything is interlinked.”
If the Sri Lanka series gets the green light, it could mark the return of Kohli and Rohit—two of Indian cricket’s most celebrated names—to the ODI format. Both have opted out of T20Is and Tests post the 2024 T20 World Cup and have not been part of India’s ongoing Test tour of England.
Their potential comeback also aligns with India’s preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup, tentatively scheduled for September 17–27, but still awaiting government clearance due to geopolitical concerns, particularly involving Pakistan’s participation.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, currently in London for the Lord’s Test, is expected to consult key figures including Rohit, Kohli, Gambhir, and Agarkar before finalizing plans for both the Asia Cup and the proposed Sri Lanka tour.
