Rohit and Virat Excluded as New IPL Stars Enter the India A Squad for Three Warm-up Matches

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The BCCI selection committee announced the India A squad for the upcoming one-day series against Australia A. What came as a surprise for fans is the exclusion of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the setup. The duo played last time in the national jersey in the Champions Trophy, against New Zealand in Dubai. 


How Selection Happens for Warm-up Matches

The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee faced criticism once again for excluding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the Australia A warm-up matches. Earlier this week, several leading news agencies had reported that Virat and Rohit might miss the India A games as the selection committee is unlikely to force them to play. The decisions were left to them if they wished to appear in warm-up matches. Previously, the BCCI had asked senior players to participate in Ranji Trophy matches for their respective states.

Generally, the selection committee prefers a combination of players for warm-up matches before a major series. Some are regular members who use the game to recover from travel fatigue and find their natural rhythm, while a set of players are given opportunities to test the team combination. 

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An injured player gets an opportunity to prove match fitness in warm-up games. Additionally, some emerging players get chances to showcase their abilities and resolve selection dilemmas. Now, Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly waiting to see their idols in the national setup against mighty Australia in the three-match 50-over series in late October.


Speculations Over Fitness

Both Rohit and Kohli had retired from T20Is and long-format last year and earlier this year in May, respectively. To participate in the 2027 World Cup, experts believe the ODI veterans need more match practice and fitness as they are nearing 40. 

Rohit Sharma underwent the mandatory pre-season fitness test at BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, while Kohli had it conducted in London.


India A Squad

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1st one-day match: Rajat Patidar (Captain), Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (WK), Priyansh Arya, Simarjeet Singh.

2nd and 3rd one-day: Tilak Varma (Captain), Rajat Patidar (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (WK), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh.

All three unofficial ODIs will be played at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. The three games will take place on September 30, October 3, and October 5, 2025.