Senior Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Suryakumar Yadav will miss at least the opening matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 for Mumbai, as the selection committee opts to field a youthful squad in the initial rounds. Mumbai chief selector Sanjay Patil confirmed that the decision prioritises giving opportunities to emerging players, with the prominent internationals set to be integrated later once their availability is confirmed.

The Mumbai Cricket Association announced its preliminary squad on December 19, excluding Rohit, Jaiswal, Suryakumar, all-rounder Shivam Dube, and veteran Ajinkya Rahane for the early games. Shardul Thakur will captain the side, which begins its campaign against Sikkim on December 24 in Jaipur. Patil emphasised that naming unavailable senior players prematurely would unfairly deny spots to youngsters, stating the internationals will join when ready.

Specific reasons vary for individual absences: Jaiswal is recovering from acute gastroenteritis that required hospitalisation following the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with his inclusion pending medical clearance. Suryakumar Yadav and Dube remain engaged in India's ongoing T20I commitments against South Africa, while Rahane is nursing a hamstring injury and has requested rest. Rohit's omission stems from a lack of formal confirmation of immediate availability, despite earlier indications of his interest in playing domestic one-dayers.

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The Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's premier domestic 50-over competition, runs from December 24, 2025, with group stages concluding before India's ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026. This approach aligns with broader efforts to nurture talent in Mumbai's strong cricket ecosystem, even as the BCCI encourages senior players to participate in domestic fixtures when fit, highlighting a balance between experience and youth development in the tournament

Also Read: Young Mumbai Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal Admitted With Acute Gastroenteritis During Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy