Big boost for domestic cricket! Rohit Sharma set for Vijay Hazare Trophy return

Rohit Sharma confirms Vijay Hazare Trophy participation, set for Mumbai return after Sri Lanka ODIs

Former India captain Rohit Sharma is preparing for another stint in domestic cricket, with the senior batter informing the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) of his availability for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. According to a report in The Indian Express, Rohit has communicated that he intends to represent Mumbai in the 50-over tournament after completing India’s ODI assignment against Sri Lanka in December.

The move comes amid increased emphasis on ensuring that senior Indian players get sufficient domestic cricket exposure as preparations gather pace for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

India are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka from December 13 to 19. Rohit is expected to join Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign after the international series, although his exact availability for the tournament is yet to be determined.

The league stage of the competition will run from December 14 to 29, while the knockout rounds are scheduled between January 2 and 8. This means Rohit could feature in the latter stages of Mumbai’s group campaign and potentially remain available for the knockouts.

An MCA source confirmed the development, stating that Rohit had informed the association about his plans to play after the Sri Lanka series. The source added that the batter would communicate later how many matches he would be able to participate in.

Rohit’s return follows impressive domestic performance last season
The upcoming tournament will mark Rohit’s second successive Vijay Hazare Trophy appearance after he returned to the competition last season, ending a gap that had lasted since 2018.

Representing Mumbai in Jaipur, the experienced opener played two matches and made an immediate impact in his first outing against Sikkim. Rohit produced a spectacular innings of 155 runs from just 94 balls, displaying his trademark attacking approach and dominating the opposition bowling attack.

However, his second appearance against Uttarakhand brought a contrasting result, as he was dismissed for a golden duck. Despite the disappointing finish, his century demonstrated that he remained capable of producing substantial contributions in domestic 50-over cricket.

Rohit begins preparations for New Zealand ODI series
Before returning to domestic action, Rohit’s immediate focus will be India’s upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand, which begins on November 4 in Auckland.

The senior batter has already resumed preparations, joining Virat Kohli in the nets ahead of the series. Both experienced players will be important figures in India’s ODI plans as the team continues building towards the next World Cup.

Rohit’s expected participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy also reflects the importance of regular match practice in the 50-over format. His availability will be a significant boost for Mumbai, while the tournament could provide him with another opportunity to maintain his rhythm ahead of future international assignments.