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.

Virat Kohli Shines Again as Domestic Cricket Delivers High Drama

The Vijay Hazare Trophy once again delivered a thrilling mix of star power and surprises on Day 2, as Virat Kohli continued his sensational List-A form, Rohit Sharma endured a rare failure, and Rinku Singh produced one of the fastest centuries of the tournament. With India’s biggest names back in domestic action, the tournament has quickly become one of the most talked-about cricket events of the season.

Kohli’s Consistency Stands Out Despite Missed Century

Playing for Delhi against Gujarat in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli once again proved why his return to domestic cricket has captured national attention. After scoring a century in the opening match, Kohli smashed a 29-ball fifty, eventually getting dismissed for 77 off 61 balls. His innings included 13 fours and a six, showcasing controlled aggression and match awareness.

Importantly, this knock marked Kohli’s sixth consecutive 50+ score in List-A cricket, underlining his consistency ahead of a packed international calendar. Cricket analysts believe this run of form reflects Kohli’s renewed focus on building innings rather than chasing personal milestones.

Delhi, supported by Rishabh Pant’s composed 70, posted 254/9, setting Gujarat a competitive target of 255.

Rohit Sharma’s Early Exit Fails to Slow Mumbai

In Jaipur, the spotlight was firmly on Rohit Sharma, but the Mumbai skipper had a forgettable outing as he was dismissed for a golden duck against Uttarakhand. Despite the early setback, Mumbai’s batting depth came to the fore.

Key contributions included:

Hardik Tamore: 93 off 82 balls

Sarfaraz Khan & Musheer Khan: 55 runs each

Mumbai posted a strong 331/7, maintaining control of the match despite Rohit’s early departure. Experts point out that Rohit’s presence alone has boosted fan interest, even when runs don’t follow.

Rinku Singh Steals the Show with Explosive Century

While big names grabbed headlines, Rinku Singh delivered the most destructive performance of the day. Leading Uttar Pradesh against Chandigarh, Rinku smashed a 56-ball century, finishing unbeaten on 106 off 60 balls with 11 fours and four sixes.

Alongside Aryan Juyal’s 134, UP posted a massive 367/4, sending a clear message about their title ambitions. Former selectors believe Rinku’s consistent domestic form keeps him firmly in the national white-ball conversation.

Fans Miss Out as Star Matches Go Untelevised

Despite the buzz, fans faced disappointment as matches featuring Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were not televised. Only two Round 2 games were selected for broadcast, forcing fans to rely on live updates and highlights until the knockout stages.

Why This Matters Now

With the Vijay Hazare Trophy serving as a key platform for national selection, performances from Kohli, Rohit, and Rinku are shaping narratives ahead of upcoming international tournaments. The blend of experience and emerging firepower highlights the depth of Indian domestic cricket.

Bottom Line:

While Rohit stumbled, Kohli’s consistency and Rinku Singh’s explosiveness ensured another memorable day, reinforcing why the Vijay Hazare Trophy remains crucial to India’s cricketing future.

In a blistering assault that has sent shockwaves through Indian cricket, 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi etched his name into history with a Vaibhav Suryavanshi century off just 36 balls.

Playing for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate Group match at JSCA Oval Ground, Ranchi, the vice-captain demolished the opposition, scoring 190 runs from 84 balls.

This explosive knock not only crowned him the youngest List-A centurion but also dethroned a 39-year-old record held by Zahoor Elahi.

The innings, laced with 16 fours and 15 sixes, saw Vaibhav reach his milestone with a single on the first ball of the 12th over. As Bihar amassed a staggering 574/6—the highest List-A total ever, eclipsing Tamil Nadu's 505 from 2022—the young batter's heroics underscored a golden era for domestic cricket.

With the IPL auction looming in early 2026, this performance arrives at a pivotal moment, spotlighting untapped youth talent amid India's push for aggressive, fearless batting.

Breaking Barriers: Vaibhav's Assault on Global Records

Vaibhav's fireworks extended beyond the century. He smashed the fastest 150 in List-A history in 59 balls, surpassing AB de Villiers' 64-ball mark from 2015 against West Indies.

"It's like watching a future Kohli in the making—raw power meets precision," says former India selector Kris Srikkanth, analyzing the knock. "At 14, Vaibhav's maturity in shot selection is alarming; he's not just hitting, he's dominating."

This Vaibhav Suryavanshi century slots him second among Indians for the quickest List-A tons, behind Anmolpreet Singh's 35-ball effort in 2024. Globally, it trails only Jake Fraser-McGurk's 29-ball world record and de Villiers' 31-ball blitz.

- Fastest List-A 150s:

- 59 balls: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (India, 2025)

- 64 balls: AB de Villiers (South Africa, 2015)

- 65 balls: Jos Buttler (England, 2022)

Bihar's batting depth shone through, with teammates Ishan Kishan (33-ball century) and captain Sakibul Gani (32-ball ton) joining the carnage. Their contributions propelled the team to a total that redefines List-A benchmarks, happening just the second time a side crossed 500 runs.

Why This Matters Now: A Youth Revolution in Indian Cricket

As India grapples with T20 dominance and the need for versatile stroke-makers post-2024 T20 World Cup, Vaibhav's emergence is timely. The Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's premier domestic 50-over competition, often serves as a proving ground for IPL scouts. This record-shattering day highlights Bihar's resurgence under young leadership, challenging traditional powerhouses like Mumbai and Karnataka.

Experts like batting coach Ravi Shastri emphasize the takeaway: "Encourage kids to play without fear—Vaibhav's fearless approach is the blueprint for modern cricket." For aspiring players, the lesson is clear: Focus on high-impact training, like power-hitting drills and mental conditioning, to unlock such potential early.

Looking Ahead: Bihar's Dominance and Vaibhav's Legacy

Bihar's Playing XI—featuring Vaibhav, Sakibul Gani (c), Ayush Loharuka (wk), and others—overpowered Arunachal Pradesh's lineup, led by Kamsha Yangfo. With the match concluding just hours ago on December 24, 2025, eyes are on Vaibhav's next steps: a potential Ranji debut or even U-19 World Cup call-up.

This isn't just a Vaibhav Suryavanshi century; it's a statement. In an era craving innovation, his knock inspires a new generation, proving age is no barrier in cricket's evolving landscape.

As Bihar celebrates, Indian fans gear up for more fireworks—because if a 14-year-old can rewrite records, the future looks explosively bright.