Will Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma feature in overseas T20 leagues?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) stands apart from other global T20 tournaments due to its strict policy on Indian players. Under current BCCI regulations, Indian cricketers are not permitted to feature in overseas franchise leagues unless they retire from international cricket. As a result, iconic players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill continue to appear exclusively in the IPL.

IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal has firmly ruled out the possibility of Indian stars participating in foreign T20 leagues. In a recent interaction, Dhumal highlighted the intense workload already faced by Indian players.

“Our players already have a heavy schedule. The BCCI has also mandated that international players must participate in domestic tournaments,” Dhumal said. “They are required to play competitions like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. With so much cricket being played in India and such strong fan interest here, there is really no scope for them to take part in overseas leagues.”

He further explained that balancing international duties across multiple formats makes it extremely challenging for leading players to commit to additional franchise competitions. Using Jasprit Bumrah as an example, Dhumal pointed out that even India’s top fast bowler needs adequate rest to manage his physical demands.

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“At present, there is no possibility for the big names to go abroad. Some players are active in all three formats, and workload management is crucial,” he said. “We often have to rest bowlers after just a couple of Test matches or manage their participation in ODIs and T20Is. Sending them to play leagues overseas would ultimately affect the national team.”

When asked about the form and fitness of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup, Dhumal refrained from making any evaluative remarks. He emphasised that speculation around their future has not originated from the BCCI.

“These discussions and rumours are driven by the media and public, not the board,” Dhumal stated. “They made their own decisions to step away from T20 internationals and Test cricket and are now focusing on ODIs. Given their clear goals and motivation, there should be no doubts about their commitment.”