Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Setting the Stage for Rohit, Kohli, and the 2027 World Cup Ambitions

The importance of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a leading domestic white-ball cricket tournament, has been increasingly questioned. As T20 cricket’s popularity surpasses that of ODIs globally, this domestic competition has struggled to maintain its appeal, with international stars often opting not to participate.

However, there was a shift last season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) now requires that all international players take part in domestic tournaments if they are not playing for the national team. This season, as the group stage kicks off across five cities, two of India’s cricketing icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, will be playing for their respective domestic teams, Delhi and Mumbai.

While they may not play all seven league games, their involvement is sure to enhance their teams’ prospects and rejuvenate interest in the tournament. Participating in the Trophy is also crucial for Kohli and Rohit as they gear up for the 2027 ODI World Cup. With India slated to play 21 ODIs and both players having retired from Tests and T20Is, their chances in the 50-over format are limited. The Vijay Hazare Trophy will help them regain form ahead of India’s home ODI series against New Zealand in January, further supporting their World Cup preparation.

Their presence in the tournament also provides invaluable experience for younger players, according to Mumbai’s chief selector Sanjay Patil, who explained that engaging with such role models would boost the morale and aspiration of young cricketers.

In addition to Rohit and Kohli, several other international players like Rishabh Pant, K.L. Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are also anticipated to participate, adding depth and competitiveness to the tournament. For them, the competition offers a chance to regain rhythm before a busy international schedule.

For selectors, the tournament is a critical opportunity to evaluate young talents and assess the physical readiness of senior players like Rohit and Kohli ahead of the World Cup. However, tight scheduling remains challenging, particularly for players coming off the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League with little time to adapt to the shorter format.

Further complexities arise with the workload management for players like Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, who consistently perform. Tournament favorites Karnataka, facing a challenging group of opponents, will rely on the experienced Karun Nair and captain Mayank Agarwal to drive their campaign.

Other teams like Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir also promise interesting contests in Group B. Bengal’s Mohammed Shami aims to prove his value, while J&K, inspired by recent Ranji Trophy success, will look to make a mark with Auqib Nabi leading their bowling attack.

In Group C and D, teams like Mumbai and Delhi face their own tests. Mumbai benefits from the return of top-run scorer Ayush Mhatre, while Delhi, placed in a group with strong teams, must address its weaknesses to advance.

Despite BCCI’s directive for better pitch conditions, many surfaces remain challenging, posing additional hurdles throughout the tournament. Published on December 23, 2025.