Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin explained why the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26 opening round matches featuring Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma weren’t televised or live-streamed on Wednesday. The veteran duo sizzled with their performances on their return to the domestic tournament after over a decade and slammed hundreds. Angry fans took to social media platforms to lash out at the BCCI and the broadcaster for not televising those matches and instead live-streaming just three games.
Why VHT matches involving Ro-Ko weren’t live streamed, televised
In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin explained that the calendar for domestic cricket is given at the same time when the calendar for international cricket is issued. He pointed out that following that, the BCCI and the broadcasters decide which venues are easy to cover. However, Ashwin explained that it was impossible for them to make a last-minute switch after Rohit and Kohli decided to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, adding that while the frustration of the fans is justified, there were limitations as well.
“When the international calendar is given, the domestic calendar is given at the same time. Once it is set, the BCCI and broadcasters decide which venues are easy to cover and which matches can be televised. So the conversation was Rohit and Virat will play, but when? Making that last-minute switch is difficult. I can understand the frustration. But there are limitations. India has the maximum first-class teams. You cannot televise all matches,” Ashwin explained.
Playing his first VHT match in over 15 years, Virat Kohli cracked an impressive century against Andhra at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1. Rohit Sharma one-upped Kohli against Sikkim. Chasing just 237, the opener remained unbeaten at 155, as Mumbai won in just 30.3 overs. The 38-year-old got to his fifty in just 28 balls and reached his 37th List A hundred from just 62 balls.
