World top-ranked ODI batsman Rohit Sharma is expected to return to domestic cricket for Mumbai in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, scheduled to be held from December 24 to January 18. According to reports, Rohit is likely to play a few matches before joining India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series.
India is set to host New Zealand for a three-match ODI series in January 2026. The games will be held in Vadodara, Rajkot and Indore on January 11, 14 and 18 respectively. Rohit last performed for India against South Africa in the Visakhapatnam ODI, where he scored 75 runs. The Men in Blue won that home series 2–1.
Rohit Sharma is expected to play for Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy
According to a report by RevSportz on Friday (December 12), Rohit Sharma is expected to play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, Mumbai Cricket Association is yet to receive formal confirmation from their side.
Rohit is still part of Mumbai’s plans and could play select matches, with teams being selected on a game-by-match basis. His availability will depend on his schedule before India’s ODI series against New Zealand in January and the final decision is likely to be taken after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
“The squad will be selected on a match-by-match basis and we are hopeful that Rohit will play some matches, although we have not received any confirmation from him yet,” RevSportz quoted an MCA source as saying.
“But there is still time. The team is likely to be selected next week after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. There are also ODI matches against New Zealand next month, so it will depend on their availability,” the source said.
Rohit Sharma’s excellent form in ODI
Rohit Sharma is in great form in ODIs. This year he scored 650 runs in 14 matches at an average of 50 and a strike rate above 100, which included six half-centuries and two centuries.
The right-handed batsman currently tops the ICC ODI batting rankings with 781 rating points. Sharma scored two half-centuries in the recent three-match ODI series against South Africa and scored 146 runs at a strike rate of 110.60 as India won the contest 2-1.
Rohit has played 279 ODI matches so far, in which he has scored 11,516 runs at an average of 49.21, which includes 33 centuries and 61 half-centuries. Notably, the 38-year-old has retired from Tests and T20Is.
When did Rohit Sharma last play in Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Rohit Sharma last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2018-19 season. He played in two matches for Mumbai as he was not part of the Test team at that time.
The opening batsman scored an unbeaten 33 runs in the quarter-final against Bihar and added 17 runs in the semi-final against Hyderabad. Mumbai won both the games and reached the final.
However, Rohit could not play the final as he had to join the Indian team for the ODI series against West Indies. Mumbai still won the trophy by defeating Delhi, with Ajinkya Rahane and Prithvi Shaw opening the innings in Rohit’s absence.
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