Virat Kohli is not playing today because he is currently not part of the India A squad for the ongoing matches against Australia A. Despite being fit and having cleared routine fitness tests, the selectors have decided not to include him in the India A matches. The reason is that Kohli, having retired from T20Is and Tests, has not played competitive cricket since the IPL 2025 and his last international match was in March 2025. The matches India A is playing are seen as a platform for players to gain match rhythm before the main ODI series against Australia in October, for which Kohli is expected to be ready. There are also speculations that Kohli and Rohit Sharma might have refused to play for India A. This gap in match practice and the selectors' approach to not forcing senior players to play India A matches are the main reasons for his absence today.
