Amid widespread speculation about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli featuring in the India A one-day series against South Africa A, reports now confirm that the star batters are unlikely to participate. The three-match series begins on November 13, and while early discussions suggested the pair might use the games to fine-tune their form before the senior team’s home ODI series against South Africa, the BCCI is understood to have ruled out the idea.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the selectors are satisfied with both players’ current match readiness, following their successful stint in the recent Australia ODI series. The India A squad announcement is expected soon, and both Rohit and Kohli are not part of the roadmap for this series.
Selectors confident after Australia performances
In the Australia ODIs, both batters recovered strongly after slow starts. Rohit, who began the series with a modest score, struck form with a fluent 73 and a commanding unbeaten 121, earning him the Player of the Series award. Kohli, too, rediscovered his rhythm in the final ODI, scoring 74 not out after a couple of quiet outings earlier.
Sources close to the selection committee said the team management and selectors felt that the two senior players already have sufficient momentum and workload heading into the upcoming South Africa series. “If the Australia series had gone differently, this discussion might have taken a different direction,” a source was quoted as saying.
India A’s ongoing South Africa red-ball series
Meanwhile, the India A red-ball squad, led by Rishabh Pant, is currently playing against South Africa A at the National Cricket Academy’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. India A secured a win in the first four-day game that concluded on November 2, and the second match begins on Thursday, November 6.
Pant’s return to form following his recovery from injury has been one of the major talking points in Indian cricket circles. The wicketkeeper-batter is expected to reclaim his place in the senior squad for the two-match Test series against Temba Bavuma’s South Africa, which will follow the ODIs.
Test and A-team squads to be finalised soon
The national selectors are set to meet shortly to finalise both the Test and limited-overs squads for the South Africa series. No major surprises are anticipated in the Test squad, except for Pant’s expected inclusion in place of N. Jagadeesan.
The upcoming tour will serve as a key preparation phase for the Indian side ahead of a packed 2026 cricket calendar, which includes the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy.
While India A’s fixtures continue to offer a platform for emerging players, the absence of senior stalwarts like Rohit and Kohli underscores the selectors’ confidence in the duo’s fitness and form as they gear up for the high-profile South Africa series later this month.