The BCCI has mandated that all current national team players participate in at least two one-day matches of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting December 24.
With a three-week gap between the last T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad on December 19 and the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11, 2026, the Board wants its senior players to engage in domestic cricket during this period.
The directive has been communicated to the players by the Ajit Agarkar-led national selection committee.
This decision aligns with the recommendations of a review conducted after the Test debacle in Australia earlier this year, which emphasised greater focus on domestic cricket across formats.
Ro-Ko & Co.
Veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have confirmed their
availability for the tournament, while other senior players such as Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav have also been instructed to play at least two games for their respective teams.
Apart from Shreyas Iyer, who requires more time to recover, all other players are expected to represent their state teams.
“There are six rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy scheduled between December 24 and start of the New Zealand ODIs. It is up to the players and their state associations to decide which two rounds they would like to play.
“But after the second T20I in Mullanpur, the players have been categorically told that playing Hazare isn’t optional,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying to PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Exceptions will only be made if a player is declared unfit by the Centre of Excellence, but officials believe there is ample time to recover after the South Africa series.
The directive also aims to counter the narrative that the selection committee and head coach Gautam Gambhir are targeting Kohli and Rohit, who have nothing to prove.
The decision to make participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy mandatory for all players indicates that the rules are the same for everyone.
(With inputs from Agencies)
