Virat, Rohit Absent as Vijay Hazare Trophy Enters Crucial Phase

The Vijay Hazare Trophy continues to deliver daily drama as Indian domestic cricket enters an important stage on 29 December. While several teams chase a hat-trick of wins in the third round, fans will miss two of Indian cricket’s biggest stars — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who will not feature in today’s matches.

At the same time, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma, who is set to return for Punjab, while the wait continues for Shubman Gill to make his much-anticipated appearance in the tournament.

Abhishek Sharma Returns as Punjab Face Uttarakhand

Punjab, unbeaten so far, will take on Uttarakhand in Elite Group C at Jaipur, with the match scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM IST. The highlight of the fixture is the return of Abhishek Sharma, who had captained Punjab in their opening match against Maharashtra but missed the second game versus Chandigarh.

According to team sources, Abhishek has looked in explosive form during practice sessions, reportedly smashing 45 sixes in an hour, signalling his intent ahead of the contest. His return strengthens Punjab’s batting lineup as they aim to secure a third straight victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Shubman Gill Yet to Take the Field

While Abhishek is back in action, Shubman Gill is still absent from Punjab’s playing XI. Gill is expected to feature in the upcoming matches and has plenty at stake after being left out of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, despite being named vice-captain in the format earlier this year.

Cricket experts believe the Vijay Hazare Trophy could be a crucial platform for Gill to rediscover form ahead of the New Zealand ODI series, making his eventual return one of the most anticipated moments of the tournament.

No Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in Round 3

In a significant development, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will not play the third round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Both senior players had informed their respective state teams — Delhi and Mumbai — that they would be available only for the first two matches.

Virat impressed early, scoring a century in his opening game and following it up with a fluent 77-run knock against Gujarat. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, had a mixed outing, smashing 155 runs against Sikkim before being dismissed for a golden duck against Uttarakhand.

Delhi face Saurashtra today, while Mumbai take on Chhattisgarh, both without their star batters.

Tournament Heats Up Across Groups

A total of 10 teams, including Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, Punjab and Delhi, will aim for a third consecutive win. Meanwhile, teams like Rajasthan, Assam, Uttarakhand and Hyderabad are still searching for their first victory of the season, adding extra pressure to today’s fixtures.

Why Today’s Matches Matter

With national selection, form, and pride on the line, every match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy now carries weight. The absence of senior stars and the return of emerging names like Abhishek Sharma underline the depth of Indian cricket and make this phase of the tournament especially compelling for fans and selectors alike.