The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 continues to deliver excitement and surprises as teams battle for a spot in the knockout stages. Today's focus is on several key developments involving high-profile Indian cricketers.
Kohli's Absence Disappoints Fans
In a disappointing turn of events for fans in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli will not be playing in Delhi's match against Railways today. The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley previously confirmed Kohli's participation, raising expectations. However, Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh has confirmed Kohli's unavailability for the match. While the exact reason remains undisclosed, it is speculated that Kohli is preparing to join the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, commencing on January 11. Kohli had a strong start to the tournament, scoring 131 against Andhra Pradesh and 77 against Gujarat.
Gill Returns for Punjab
Shubman Gill is set to play his first match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 today. Gill's return comes after recovering from an injury and a bout of food poisoning, which kept him out of Punjab's first five games. According to BCCI guidelines, all players are expected to participate in the tournament and play a minimum of two games. Gill has been undergoing rigorous net practice in preparation for Punjab's match against Goa at the K L Saini Stadium in Jaipur.
Iyer to Captain Mumbai
Shreyas Iyer has been named Mumbai's captain for their remaining Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 league matches. He replaces Shardul Thakur, who is sidelined due to a calf injury sustained during the match against Maharashtra. This marks Iyer's return to competitive cricket after nearly three months, recovering from a spleen injury he sustained during India's tour of Australia in October. Iyer's comeback is crucial as he aims to prove his fitness before the ODI series against New Zealand, where he has been named vice-captain. Mumbai is currently second in Elite Group C with 16 points from five matches and needs at least one win from their remaining matches against Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to secure a spot in the knockouts.
Other Key Updates
Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube have joined the Mumbai squad in Jaipur. Sarfaraz Khan, who missed the previous game due to a quadriceps issue, is expected to return. These additions provide a significant boost to Mumbai's chances as they aim to strengthen their position in the tournament.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 continues to be a platform for players to showcase their talent and stake a claim for national selection. With the ODI series against New Zealand on the horizon, the performances in this tournament will be closely watched by the national selectors.
