Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul are set to bring star power to the domestic circuit, confirming their participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this January as a tune-up for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.
The move aligns with a BCCI mandate requiring centrally contracted players to feature in domestic cricket when available. Their return provides critical match practice and a significant boost to the 50-over tournament's profile.
Stars Confirm Availability and Schedules
According to reports, the players have informed their respective state associations of their availability for specific matches before linking up with the national team.
The following table outlines their expected schedules:
| Player | State Team | Expected Matches (January) | Opponents |
| Shubman Gill | Punjab | 3rd & 6th | Sikkim, Goa |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Saurashtra | 6th & 8th | Services, Gujarat |
| KL Rahul | Karnataka | 3rd & 6th | Tripura, Rajasthan |
| Virat Kohli | Delhi | 6th | Railways |
For Shubman Gill, this domestic stint follows his recent omission from India's T20 World Cup squad, making these matches an important opportunity for him. After his games for Punjab, he is expected to join the Indian squad in Baroda around January 7-8 ahead of the first New Zealand ODI on January 11.
BCCI's Domestic Mandate in Full Effect
The participation of these stars is part of a broader pattern this Vijay Hazare Trophy season, underscoring the BCCI's enforced policy. Earlier in the tournament, other Indian internationals like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also fulfilled their domestic commitments.
Virat Kohli has been a standout, opting to play a third match for Delhi on January 6 against Railways, exceeding the reported minimum requirement. He was in stellar form in his first two outings, scoring 131 and 77.
Rohit Sharma featured in Mumbai's first two games, scoring a blazing 155, before concluding his scheduled stint.
Rishabh Pant has committed to playing the entire season for Delhi, providing consistent leadership.
The policy has exceptions for workload management, with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah being rested as a precaution.
Tournament in Full Swing with Other Key Returns
The Vijay Hazare Trophy action continues strongly. On December 31, Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to competitive cricket for Mumbai against Goa after recovering from acute gastroenteritis that caused him to miss the first three matches. Mumbai's coach noted that the presence of international pros significantly boosts the morale and learning environment for the entire squad.
The influx of top-tier talent into the Vijay Hazare Trophy strengthens the domestic structure and offers fans a rare chance to see their heroes up close in state colors. It also sets the stage for a well-prepared Indian team as they gear up to face New Zealand.
