Rohit, Kohli Return to Domestic Action in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 is set to begin on December 24, and Indian cricket fans are in for a major boost as star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to domestic cricket for at least two matches. The development follows a recent BCCI directive making it mandatory for centrally contracted players to participate in domestic tournaments unless ruled out due to injury.
This move is being seen as a strong step to strengthen India’s domestic structure and reconnect senior players with grassroots cricket.
Rohit Sharma to Feature for Mumbai, Shardul Thakur Named Captain
Former India captain Rohit Sharma will play the opening two matches for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025. Mumbai will face Sikkim on December 24 and Uttarakhand on December 26 in Jaipur.
Key updates from Mumbai camp include:
Shardul Thakur appointed as Mumbai captain
Ajinkya Rahane rested for initial matches due to a hamstring issue
Yashasvi Jaiswal to join later after medical clearance
Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan included after impressive SMAT performances
Mumbai are placed in Elite Group C along with Punjab, Maharashtra, Goa and others, with all group matches scheduled in Jaipur.
According to Mumbai selectors, all India players will be accommodated as and when they become available, keeping national commitments in mind.
Virat Kohli Included, Rishabh Pant to Lead Delhi
In another big boost to domestic cricket, Virat Kohli has been named in Delhi’s 20-member squad for the first two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has been appointed captain of the Delhi team.
Delhi will play in Group D, with matches scheduled between December 24 and January 8. Their opening games are against Andhra and Gujarat at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Other notable updates from Delhi squad:
Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini available
Harshit Rana to join after T20I national duty
Pant and Kohli’s full availability subject to India’s ODI series starting January 11
Why This Matters Now
The participation of senior stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 highlights the growing importance of domestic cricket in India. With India’s next international assignment starting in mid-January against New Zealand, this tournament serves as a vital match-practice platform.
Experts believe this move will:
Improve domestic competition quality
Inspire young players
Strengthen India’s bench strength
As the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 gets underway, the spotlight will firmly be on how India’s biggest stars perform in domestic colours.
With Pant leading Delhi and Shardul guiding Mumbai, the tournament promises high-quality cricket and renewed fan interest, making it one of the most anticipated domestic seasons in recent years.
