In a bold move, the BCCI has made it mandatory, not only for the star players, but every player to play at least in two matches of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. The tournament is scheduled to begin on December 24, and the aim behind this move is to keep the players connected to the domestic cricket.
Rohit & KOhli Confirmed for VHT
The next ODI for Team India is on Jan 11, 2026 against New Zealand, and that gives enough time for the India players to rest, and then get back to the field for the VHT. As per report, the same has been conveyed to the players by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel.
Meanwhile, the decision had first come after the IND vs AUS Test series last year. That said, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are all confirmed to play the VHT. Now it seems Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have been instructed to play in the domestic tournament as well. Of course, Shreyas Iyer is the exception since he is still recovering from an injury.
Other Team India players to also play
“There are six rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy scheduled between December 24 and start of the New Zealand ODIs. It is up to the players and their state associations to decide which two rounds they would like to play. But after the second T20I in Mullanpur, the players have been categorically told that playing Hazare isn’t optional,” a BCCI official told PTI.
Also, players could be excused from playing in the VHT, if declared unfit by the CoE. This is also a message to all critics, that this policy applies to all Indian players, and not just Virat and Rohit.
