The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has drawn a clear line in the sand for two of its most celebrated cricketing icons. On November 12, 2025, the BCCI reiterated its directive: if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli wish to extend their international careers in One Day Internationals (ODIs), they must actively participate in the domestic circuit—specifically, the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT). This move, aimed at maintaining both form and fitness, has sent ripples through the Indian cricketing fraternity, with fans and selectors alike eager to see how the veterans respond.
Rohit Sharma, the prolific opener and former India captain, appears to have embraced the challenge. According to multiple reports and confirmations from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Rohit has signaled his intent to play for Mumbai in the upcoming VHT group stage, which kicks off on December 24, 2025, in Jaipur. Mumbai, drawn into Group C alongside Maharashtra, Punjab, and Goa, will look to leverage Rohit's experience and leadership as they navigate the group fixtures scheduled through January 8, 2026.
The stakes are high not only for Mumbai but for Indian cricket at large. The BCCI's mandate comes on the heels of Rohit and Kohli's retirement from T20 Internationals after the 2024 T20 World Cup and from Test cricket earlier in 2025. Now, with their focus solely on ODIs, the board wants to ensure that the duo stays match-fit and in top form, especially with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"Formally, I have not heard anything from Rohit yet. But I will be more than happy if he plays for Mumbai. It will be a huge gain for us," Mumbai Chief Selector Sanjay Patil told Sportstar. Patil's optimism is shared by many within the MCA, who see Rohit's presence as a massive morale boost for Mumbai's young talents. "They are role models for the young cricketers, so it would be wonderful if they play. It will boost the morale and motivate the youngsters, if they get to share the dressing room with such players," Patil added.
Rohit's commitment to domestic cricket doesn't end with the VHT. He has also expressed interest in featuring in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), India's premier domestic T20 competition. The SMAT group league is set for November 26 to December 8, with knockouts in Indore from December 12 to 18. However, due to a scheduling clash with India's three-match ODI series against South Africa (December 3-9), Rohit's availability for the SMAT group stage remains uncertain. If Mumbai advances to the knockout rounds and national duties allow, Rohit could make a much-anticipated appearance.
Rohit's recent training stints further underline his intent. He was spotted putting in nearly an hour of rigorous practice at the MCA-BKC ground during Mumbai's Ranji Trophy game against Himachal Pradesh in early November. Additionally, he has been working out at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Academy in Mumbai, signaling his determination to stay sharp and lead by example. "Thanks to the BCCI for taking such an initiative, because if Rohit plays, youngsters like Ayush Mhatre and Musheer Khan can pick his brains and also follow his footsteps, which will be a big thing for the game," Patil remarked.
In contrast, Virat Kohli's participation in the domestic season remains shrouded in uncertainty. While the BCCI has made its expectations clear, Kohli, currently residing in London, has yet to confirm his return. The last time Kohli played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was way back on February 18, 2010, when he captained Delhi—a team that also featured Shikhar Dhawan and then-future BCCI President Mithun Manhas. The board and team management are hopeful that Kohli will heed the call and bolster Delhi's squad, but as of now, the wait continues.
The BCCI's stance is rooted in a desire to maintain high standards and continuity. As chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized, "We made it clear a year, or a couple of years back, that whenever players are available, they should be playing domestic cricket. That’s the only way you’ll keep yourself sharp and playing cricket, if you’ve got a long enough break. Whether that’s possible with the international cricket you’re playing or not, only time will tell, but if the guys are free, they should be playing domestic cricket." This sentiment is echoed by team management, who insist that sustained domestic performance is non-negotiable for continued international selection, especially for those who have retired from other formats.
The scheduling this winter is particularly tight. The VHT group stage is sandwiched between two major international assignments: the South Africa ODI series in early December and the New Zealand ODI series starting January 11, 2026. This means that while Rohit is expected to feature for Mumbai in the VHT group stage, he will likely have to skip the knockout rounds if called up for national duty against New Zealand. The same conundrum applies to other senior players, such as Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, who are also expected to join their domestic sides once the South Africa series wraps up.
Both Rohit and Kohli made headlines last season when they returned to the Ranji Trophy after long absences—Rohit for Mumbai after a decade, and Kohli for Delhi after twelve years. This rare appearance was seen as a nod to the BCCI’s push for senior players to mentor the next generation. "We could win 42 titles for Mumbai because the younger players always had the backing of the seniors. In the earlier times, legends like Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sanjay Manjrekar always made themselves available, whenever they were not on national duty. So, we would be really happy if Rohit plays for Mumbai…" Patil reflected, drawing a direct line between past and present approaches to domestic cricket.
In another development, Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad will see the return of spinner Tanush Kotian against Pondicherry. Kotian, who missed recent matches due to India-A commitments, will rejoin the team, providing a timely boost as Mumbai juggles its domestic ambitions with the availability of its marquee players.
As the VHT group stage approaches, all eyes are on Rohit Sharma and, to a lesser extent, Virat Kohli. Will the veterans' presence galvanize their respective teams and inspire a new wave of young cricketers? The stage is set, the stakes are clear, and the cricketing world waits with bated breath to see how this latest chapter in Indian cricket unfolds. For now, Mumbai’s hopes are pinned on Rohit’s leadership and experience, while Delhi fans keep their fingers crossed for a Kohli comeback. One thing’s for sure: the domestic season just got a whole lot more interesting.
