A big boost for domestic cricket and a treat for fans, the former Indian captain Rohit Sharma officially included in the upcoming Mumbai squad Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. After initial uncertainty Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) On Friday, the veteran opener confirmed that he will play in the opening stages of more than 50 prestigious tournaments.
The move comes as part of the BCCI’s latest mandate requiring eligible national players to play at least two domestic games to stay in rhythm for upcoming international assignments, particularly the ODI series against New Zealand scheduled for January 2026.
Limited appearances for Rohit Sharma in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Although Rohit is part of the squad, he is not expected to play the entire tournament. According to MCA sources, Rohit has confirmed his availability for the first two matches of the league stage. These games will be important match experience for the ‘Hitman’ before he leads India in the upcoming white-ball season.
Rohit’s Confirmed Schedule:
- 24 December 2025: Sikkim (Jaipur)
- 26 December 2025: With Uttarakhand (Jaipur)
Shardul Thakur will lead the senior back seat
Interestingly, Rohit will not be the captain of the team. The selectors handed the reins to the all-rounder Shardul Thakur. This decision allows Rohit to focus purely on his batting and preparation.
Other high-profile figures are currently sidelined for various reasons:
- Suryakumar Yadav & Shivam Dubey: He is currently on national duty.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: The explosive opener is currently recovering from acute gastroenteritis and was recently hospitalized in Pune.
- Ajinkya Rahane: The veteran slugger required rest for the preliminaries to recover from a minor hamstring problem.
A long-awaited return to local roots for Indian superstars
Rohit is not the only superstar returning to his roots. The 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy is shaping up to be one of the highest profile editions of the years. Virat Kohli and Rishabh pants Both have confirmed their presence in the Delhi squad with Pant being appointed as the captain of the team. This synchronized return of India’s ‘Big Three’ to domestic cricket has created huge interest in the tournament to be held in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Bengaluru.
Mumbai Squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (Two matches), Shardul Thakur (C), Hardik Tamore (WK), Ishan Mulchandani, Shams Mulani, Musheer Khan, Tanush Kotian, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Tushar Deshpande, Sarfaraz Khan, Onkar Tarmale, Siddesh Lad, Akhirajil, Sylvester Dsou, Anand (WK), Suryansh Shedge
