Mumbai will begin their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign on December 24, 2025, without the services of their star player, Rohit Sharma. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) announced the squad on December 19, confirming Sharma's inclusion for the tournament but also specifying that he would only be available for the first two matches. This decision has sparked considerable discussion, especially given the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) recent directive that centrally contracted players must participate in at least two domestic matches to maintain their eligibility for the national team.
The official reason for Sharma's limited participation, as stated by Mumbai's chief selector Sanjay Patil, is to provide opportunities for younger players to gain experience in competitive conditions. Patil emphasized that the selection panel is keen on assessing and "blooding" emerging talent during the early stages of the 50-over competition. He clarified that Sharma's absence from the first few matches is not due to any injury or workload concerns related to his Indian team commitments.
"Rohit, Jaiswal, Dube, and even Rahane will not be a part of the Mumbai squad for at least the first two matches as the selection panel is going ahead with a young squad," Patil told PTI. He also mentioned that Yashasvi Jaiswal is recovering from a stomach issue but is expected to be available soon. "We thought that the youngsters should be given a chance. But whenever they are available, they will be accommodated. For the first two matches, we are experimenting with youngsters".
This decision comes at a time when India has a rare break in its international schedule, with no ODIs until the series against New Zealand starting on January 11, 2026. The Vijay Hazare Trophy, therefore, presents an ideal platform for senior players to stay match-fit and for younger players to prove their mettle.
Mumbai is placed in Elite Group C for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, alongside Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Goa. Their matches will be held in Jaipur. All-rounder Shardul Thakur will captain the Mumbai side in the tournament. The squad includes experienced players like Sarfaraz Khan and Siddesh Lad, as well as younger talents like Musheer Khan and Angkrish Raghuvanshi.
While Sharma will miss the initial matches against Sikkim on December 24 and Uttarakhand on December 26, he is expected to join the team later in the tournament. The BCCI has mandated that all current national team players participate in at least two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, provided they are not injured or recovering at the Centre of Excellence.
It is also worth noting that Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube are not part of the Mumbai squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jaiswal was hospitalized in Pune due to acute gastroenteritis after the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. Ajinkya Rahane has requested rest from the initial matches as he is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Sharma's inclusion, even for just two games, is a significant boost for Mumbai. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team. The Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled from December 24, 2025, to January 8, 2026, with the knockout stages to follow in Bengaluru.
