India captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed his participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai, complying with the BCCI’s new directive that mandates senior players to feature in domestic cricket to stay eligible for national selection.
According to a report in The Indian Express, Rohit has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) of his availability for the 50-over tournament, which begins on December 24. The window falls neatly between India’s home ODI series against South Africa (Dec 3–9) and New Zealand (from Jan 11).
Meanwhile, there’s still no clarity on Virat Kohli’s participation, with sources suggesting that the former captain — currently based in London — has not yet informed the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) about his plans.
BCCI’s ‘Play Domestic to Play for India’ Policy
The BCCI recently reiterated that all centrally contracted players must play domestic cricket whenever available, especially after retiring from certain formats.
“The board and team management have conveyed to both of them that they will have to play domestic cricket if they want to play for India,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express.
“As they have retired from two formats, domestic cricket will help them stay match-fit.”
The move is part of the board’s effort to revive the domestic structure and ensure that even veteran stars remain in competitive rhythm before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rohit’s Preparation and Domestic Return
Rohit, 38, who last represented Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year after nearly a decade, is reportedly training at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Academy to prepare for the domestic season.
He is also considering playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which starts on November 26, to gain additional match practice.
In India’s recent ODI series against Australia, Rohit was named Player of the Series, scoring a half-century and a century in the final two matches. Kohli, after two early dismissals, managed an unbeaten fifty in the third game.
Virat Kohli’s Situation Remains Unclear
Unlike Rohit, Kohli has not yet responded to the board’s directive. The Delhi cricketer, now 37, has been living in London with his family and has largely stepped away from public appearances since India’s World Cup campaign.
An earlier PTI report suggested that both Rohit and Kohli were expected to play three to four matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before returning for the New Zealand series — but only Rohit has confirmed participation so far.
Selectors Stress Domestic Participation
National selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar has reaffirmed that the domestic grind is non-negotiable for any player outside international duty.
“We made it clear that whenever players are available, they should play domestic cricket,” Agarkar said.
“That’s the only way to stay sharp during long breaks. Rohit and Virat aren’t on trial, but we’ll assess form and fitness through domestic performances.”
The Bigger Picture
The BCCI’s renewed emphasis on domestic participation comes as part of a larger performance and workload management plan ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, where both Rohit and Kohli are seen as potential senior anchors.
With Mumbai and Delhi scheduled to play six rounds of Vijay Hazare matches between the South Africa and New Zealand ODIs, selectors believe there’s enough opportunity for both legends to regain match rhythm and maintain continuity in the one-day setup.
