Rohit Sharma to join Virat Kohli in playing Vijay Hazare Trophy before IND vs NZ ODIs

Rohit Sharma last played the VIjay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai back in the 2018 season when he turned up for a semi-final against Hyderabad.

It looks like both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be seen elevating the star power of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) this year. After Kohli was named in Delhi’s probable squad for India’s premier 50-over domestic tournament, Rohit is also ‘all but confirmed’.

According to RevSportz, the former Indian captain is most likely to feature in Mumbai’s few Vijay Hazare Trophy games in order to get game time before India’s next ODI series. After a successful series against South Africa, India’s next ODI bilateral is against New Zealand, starting on January 11. That means there’s an ample gap and both Rohit and Kohli, who now only play the 50-over format, will be featured in the domestic circuit. This also aligns with the BCCI’s policy of compulsory domestic matches for everyone fit and available.

“The squad will be picked on a match-to-match basis and we expect Rohit to play a few games, although we haven’t received any confirmation from him yet. But there’s time. The squad is likely to be picked next week, after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. There are ODIs against New Zealand next month as well, so it will depend on his availability,” an MCA source told Revsportz.

Positive signs for Rohit Sharma

While Virat Kohli was in beast mode in the series against the Proteas, Rohit wasn’t too far back. Yes, he didn’t get a century like he did in Sydney; Rohit managed two fifty-plus scores in the three games. He was picking the lengths early and made sure India got fast starts against a potent South African attack.

Now being fitter and leaner, Rohit looks to extend his international career and his one eye is surely on finishing high at the ODI World Cup 2027. Hence, the Hitman will look to get as much game time as he can in an era where ODI cricket is played far less. After finishing the year with 650 runs (just 1 runs less than Kohli’s tally), Rohit would love to make full use of his form. Hence, he remains firmly in the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) plans for VHT. The tournament will begin on December 24 onwards, and Rohit would perhaps have the entire league stage matches till January 8 to play before the IND vs NZ series begin (from January 11).

It remains to be seen that for how many games Rohit makes himself available. Mumbai, part of Elite Group C, will be playing all their group games at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.