Former BCCI chief selector Kris Srikkanth has thrown his weight behind Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, saying that both batting stalwarts are automatic choices for him in ODIs. However, he wants the duo to play domestic cricket in order to get rhythm.

Rohit and Kohli have been out of action since the end of the IPL 2025, and they have now started preparations for the upcoming Australia tour.

Ahead of the series, there is a lot of speculation about both batters heading towards retirement, and some reports even claimed that the tour to Australia may see their farewell from the international circuit.

Notably, Rohit and Kohli retired from T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph while they called time on their Test career in May this year. The ODI format remains their only commitment for the Indian team.

"Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are superstars. In my opinion, they will be automatic choices for the Australia tour. If I was the chairman of selectors, I would make Rohit Sharma as the captain for the Australia ODI series. Now you're saying rumours about their futures. They should be playing. Ajit Agarkar would have had a word with them. The board would have asked them, how are you going to plan for the series," said Srikkanth on his YouTube channel.

"The chairman and the board will have a word with them and say that ' you guys will have to come and start playing domestic cricket. Because it is good for you and the team. They need match practice and they will come and do it," he added.

"Kohli may be practising in England and Rohit might be doing the same at the NCA. They will be preparing for it. The fact that they said they're available and want to play the 2027 World Cup, hoping that they can win it for the team at that time. That's why they're playing. So I will surely give them the chance to play," he continued.

Srikkanth further stressed the importance of domestic cricket for the veteran campaigners as they need to get their rhythm back.

"You should tell them to play domestic cricket in the ODI format. Tell them to play Vijay Hazare Trophy, to get back in the rhythm. They themselves know it. They were two big captains of the current era."

"For a person like Kohli, who have done so much for India, I will give extra leverage surely," Srikkanth remarked.

India will play three ODIs on the tour of Australia from October 19 to 25, and the squad for the same is expected to be announced soon.