A big boost for domestic cricket and a gift for the fans, former Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been officially included in the Mumbai squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26After initial uncertainty, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) It was confirmed on Friday that the experienced opening batsman will feature in the opening phase of the prestigious 50-over tournament.
The move comes as part of the BCCI’s recent order requiring fit national players to participate in at least two home games to stay in shape for the upcoming international matches, especially the ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026.
Rohit Sharma’s limited presence in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Although Rohit is part of the team, he is not expected to play the entire tournament. According to MCA sources, Rohit has confirmed his availability for the first two matches of the league stage. These games will serve as important match practice for the “Hitmen” before they take charge of India in the upcoming white-ball season.
Rohit’s fixed schedule:
- December 24, 2025: vs Sikkim (Jaipur)
- December 26, 2025: vs Uttarakhand (Jaipur)
Shardul Thakur to lead as seniors step back
The interesting thing is that Rohit will not captain the team. The selectors have handed over the reins of captaincy to the all-rounder Shardul ThakurThis decision allows Rohit to completely focus on his batting and preparation,
Other senior celebrities are currently missing from the lineup for various reasons:
- Suryakumar Yadav , Shivam Dubey: Currently on national duty.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: The explosive opening batsman is currently recovering from acute gastroenteritis and was recently admitted to a hospital in Pune.
- Ajinkya Rahane: The veteran batsman has requested rest in the initial phase to recover from a minor hamstring problem.
The much-awaited return of Indian superstars to their home roots
Rohit is not the only superstar to return to his roots. The 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile editions in years. Virat Kohli And Rishabh Pant Both have confirmed their availability for the Delhi team and Pant is ready to captain the team. The simultaneous return of India’s “Big Three” to domestic cricket has generated immense interest in the tournament, which will be held in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Bengaluru.
Mumbai team for Vijay Hazare Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (two matches), Shardul Thakur (captain), Hardik Tamore (wicketkeeper), Ishan Moolchandani, Shams Mulani, Musheer Khan, Tanush Kotian, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Tushar Deshpande, Sarfaraz Khan, Omkar Tarmale, Siddhesh Lad, Sylvester D’Souza, Sairaj Patil, Akash Anand (wicketkeeper), Suryansh Shedge.
