Mumbai Official Denies Reports of Rohit Sharma's Vijay Hazare Trophy Availability
Mumbai, November 13, 2025 - Amidst swirling speculation, a senior official from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has refuted claims that Rohit Sharma has confirmed his participation in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. This clarification comes after reports suggested that the former India captain had informed the MCA of his availability for the premier domestic one-day tournament, fueling excitement among fans.
Speaking to PTI, the MCA official stated, "There has been no communication as far as I am aware". This statement casts doubt on earlier reports indicating Sharma's eagerness to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, potentially marking his return to domestic cricket after a seven-year hiatus.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly communicated to both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli the importance of playing domestic cricket to maintain match fitness and remain in contention for future ODI selections, including the 2027 World Cup. With both players having stepped away from Tests and T20Is, the BCCI is keen on ensuring they actively participate in domestic 50-over competitions.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled to take place from December 25, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across multiple venues including Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, and Bengaluru, with the knockout matches being held at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Mumbai's campaign is expected to commence on December 24, a day before the tournament's official commencement.
Rohit Sharma recently showcased his prowess in the ODI series against Australia, scoring 73 and a stellar unbeaten 121, earning him the Player of the Series award despite India's 1-2 defeat. He is also expected to feature in India's ODI series against South Africa, scheduled from November 30 to December 6. This leaves a window for Sharma to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy between the South Africa and New Zealand series.
Sharma has been training at the MCA's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) facility in Mumbai. Some reports even suggested he might consider participating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, commencing on November 26.
While Rohit Sharma's participation remains uncertain, Virat Kohli's domestic plans are also unclear. The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has yet to receive any updates from Kohli, who is currently based in London.
The conflicting reports surrounding Rohit Sharma's availability have created confusion among cricket fans. While some reports claimed Sharma had informed the MCA of his decision to play, the MCA official's statement suggests otherwise. Whether Sharma will indeed participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy remains to be seen, and fans await official confirmation from the player or the MCA.
