Rohit, Kohli 'Expected To Play At Least Three Rounds' Of Vijay Hazare Before NZ ODIs: Report

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are anticipated to participate in at least three, if not four, Vijay Hazare Trophy matches before the New Zealand ODI series in January, provided they still aim to play in the 2027 World Cup.

Between the end of the South Africa ODIs and the beginning of the New Zealand series, Delhi and Mumbai will have at least six rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy games. National selectors will likely expect the ageing duo to participate in the 50-over event.

Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar has emphasised that all centrally contracted players who are fit and available are expected to play domestic cricket.

“Between last ODI against South Africa on December 6 at Visakhapatnam and the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara on January

11, there is a gap of five weeks.

“The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24. There will be six rounds of games for Mumbai (December 24, 26, 29, 31, Jan 3, 6, 8). Rohit will be expected to at least play three rounds before linking up with the squad. Ditto for Virat,” PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying, under conditions of anonymity.

Ashwin Asks For Veterans To Play Domestic Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin mentioned on his YouTube channel that both players might need to play some domestic cricket to find their rhythm and could have played the India A series.

“If you need their services, you have to find a way. For example, the India ‘A’ series happened, so you need to ask them to play that series because there is not much 50-over cricket. They should have said that if you don’t play the series, I don’t think you fit in the plan. If not this series, then they have to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, because that will let us know the kind of form you are in,” Ashwin said.

(With inputs from PTI)