Rohit Sharma Yet to Communicate Availability for Vijay Hazare Trophy: Mumbai Cricket Board

Former India captain Rohit Sharma has yet to confirm his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the BCCI’s flagship domestic 50-over tournament, leaving the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) without official word from the star opener. A senior MCA official told Press Trust of India (PTI) on November 13, 2025, that no communication has been received regarding Sharma’s participation, despite his active training at the MCA’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) facility. “There has been no communication as far as I am aware,” the official stated, fuelling speculation about whether the 38-year-old will feature in Mumbai’s campaign.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy is set to run from December 25, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across four cities: Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, and Bengaluru, with all knockout matches—including the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final—scheduled at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This multi-venue format aims to reduce travel fatigue and ensure high-quality pitches, a shift from previous editions often centralised in one state. For Mumbai, a dominant force in domestic cricket, Sharma’s potential involvement could significantly boost morale and performance.

Rohit Sharma has been in fine form in white-ball cricket, recently earning Player of the Series honours in India’s 1-2 ODI series loss to Australia. He scored an unbeaten 121 in the first match and 73 in the second, showcasing his continued mastery in the 50-over format. Having retired from Test and T20I cricket after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, Sharma—alongside Virat Kohli—has narrowed his international focus to ODIs and the IPL, making domestic appearances a key avenue to maintain rhythm and mentor younger players.

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The timing of the Vijay Hazare Trophy overlaps with India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting November 30 in Ranchi, followed by games in Raipur (December 3) and Visakhapatnam (December 6). This tight schedule may influence Sharma’s decision, as national duty and workload management take precedence. The BCCI has increasingly emphasised rest and rotation for senior players, especially with a packed 2026 calendar leading into the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Sharma has been regularly training at the BKC facility, recently joined by Yashasvi Jaiswal before the latter departed for India’s Test series against South Africa. His commitment to fitness and net practice signals intent to stay match-ready, but domestic participation remains uncertain. Historically, top Indian cricketers have used the Vijay Hazare Trophy to regain form or test new techniques—examples include Shreyas Iyer’s comeback in 2021 and Rishabh Pant’s aggressive batting displays—but availability often hinges on international commitments.

As Mumbai prepares its squad, the MCA awaits clarity from Sharma, whose presence would not only strengthen the batting lineup but also inspire a new generation of players. The team has a rich legacy in limited-overs cricket, and with emerging talents in the mix, a blend of experience and youth could make them title contenders. Until an official update arrives, fans and selectors remain in anticipation, hopeful that the “Hitman” will don the Mumbai blues once again in the race for the prestigious Vijay Hazare crown.

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