Domestic cricket India designated for electrical spark such as icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to Vijay Hazare trophy this wednesday. For Kohli, it marks his return to the domestic 50-over format after a staggering 15-year hiatus, while Rohit returns to represent Mumbai for the first time since 2018.
Their presence, next to the stars Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and KL Rahulmaking this edition a high-priced dress rehearsal for the upcoming ODI series. New Zealand. However, despite the massive star power, millions of fans across the country face significant undercover. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) manages the complex logistics and distribution landscape.
The real reason why Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 matches will not be broadcast
According to NDTV Sports, the main reason why fans are not seeing Kohli and Rohit on screen is a simple infrastructure issue. On the opening day of the tournament, all 38 teams compete simultaneously in 19 different matches. BCCI has traditionally provided full broadcast and streaming setups for a select few games due to the huge cost and technical requirements of multi-camera coverage. For the 2025-26 season, HD broadcast facilities have been set up at only two major venues: the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
With Rohit Sharma playing in Mumbai Jaipur and Kohli’s Delhi being moved to a facility in Bengaluru without broadcast infrastructure, neither match falls in the available television window. Although some reports initially suggested that Star Sports and JioHotstar will host the tournament, they will only show the matches in two designated broadcast venues.
🚨 No Rohit and Virat Live Streaming on VHT 🚨
– No broadcast of Rohit Sharma’s match (Jaipur)
– No coverage of Virat Kohli’s match (CoE)
– Only two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches will be broadcast
– Streaming available on Hotstar & Star Sports
– Venues covered: NMS Ground &… pic.twitter.com/6IfTyvkCYM— Vipin Tiwari (@Vpintiwari952) December 23, 2025
VHT 2025-26 matches behind closed doors for Kohli
While Rohit Sharma fans in Jaipur still have a chance to watch their captain from the stands, the situation in Bengaluru has taken a more restrictive turn for Virat Kohli. Just 24 hours before the opening match, the Karnataka government and the local police refused to allow the game M. Chinnaswamy Stadium To host the games of Delhi. The venue of the match has been changed BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) will be played behind closed doors on the outskirts of town and a shock to local fans.
According to the Times of India, the decision stems from a number of factors:
- Security Concerns: Local police manage Christmas and New Year celebrations in the Central Business District.
- Security Legacy: After the tragic stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL celebrations in early June that left 11 people dead, authorities are taking a cautious approach.
- Infrastructure Issues: The stadium has yet to fully comply with safety recommendations from the Justice Cunha Commission report, which recently described the venue as “dangerous for large gatherings”.
However, there is still a glimmer of hope for digital streaming. Earlier this year, a Ranji Trophy match involving Delhi was not scheduled to be broadcast in advance, but the BCCI reversed its decision at the eleventh hour after huge public demand to see Kohli in action. But, as you can see, the lack of stable broadcasting equipment CoE in Bangalore and Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur remains a definite obstacle. For now, Kohli and Rohit will do their homework out of the public eye.
Also READ: Mumbai announce squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma makes a historic comeback
