The news of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma rejecting the BCCI order has created a stir, but the reality is much simpler. Drama broke out on social media after both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have opted out of their respective domestic teams from the next round of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
Why did Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma decide to pull out of Vijay Hazare Trophy after BCCI’s instructions?
The real reason for Virat Kohli and Rohit not playing the remaining matches of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 has finally been revealed. Delhi will face Railways at the KSCA Stadium in Bengaluru, while Mumbai will face Himachal Pradesh in Jaipur on January 6.
However, the former Indian captain will not take part in this round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy due to national team duty. Both have been named in the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11 in Vadodara.
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What was BCCI’s instruction for centrally contracted players?
Both senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma followed the instructions of BCCI exactly as they were told. Ahead of the start of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, the BCCI clearly informed the centrally contracted players that they will have to play at least two matches in the tournament if they want to remain a part of India’s ODI plans.
Kohli and Rohit followed BCCI’s order
Both the legends of the modern era returned to India’s premier 50-over cricket after a long time and made instant impacts with the bat for the Delhi and Mumbai teams.
Rohit made a comeback in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after almost seven years. The Mumbaikar made an instant impact by scoring a brilliant 155 off just 94 balls against Sikkim. However, in the next match against Uttarakhand, the Hitman was out for a duck, but by then he had fulfilled the requirement set by the BCCI.
Kohli, on the other hand, made a comeback in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time since 2010 and looked in great form. This Delhi player played a brilliant inning of 131 runs in 101 balls against Andhra and then played a quick inning of 77 runs in 61 balls against Gujarat. With this he also fulfilled the condition of two matches.
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Real reason: National duty
Kohli and Rohit’s decision to skip their teams’ remaining Vijay Hazare fixtures (from January 6) was influenced by national duty. Not only these greats of the modern era, but all the players selected for the New Zealand series will not be able to play the remaining matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
According to a report by Jagran News journalist, India’s ODI team is to assemble in Vadodara by January 7 for a preparation camp, with the first ODI taking place on January 11 against New Zealand. The team will practice in one group for the home series, which will eliminate them from the tournament.
The Indian franchise team will reach Credit from 7th. Camp team practice plant there. The first application will be made there on 11th. Therefore, Vijay Hazare, the player included in the team, did not run.#INDvsNZ
-Abhishek Tripathi/Abhishek Tripathi (@abishereporter) 5 January 2026
