Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Team India’s senior stars, are set to make a strong comeback in domestic cricket by playing in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. The selectors have emphasized that all fit central contract players must participate in domestic tournaments to maintain match readiness. This decision comes ahead of the New Zealand ODI series and is aimed at assessing players’ form in preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

India will play its last ODI against South Africa on December 6, followed by the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11. The Vijay Hazare Trophy will begin on December 24, with the Mumbai team playing six matches until January 8. Selectors are expecting Rohit Sharma to play at least three matches, and the same rule applies to Virat Kohli.

Senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also stressed on his YouTube channel that “If these senior players want to be part of the ODI squad, they must play enough 50-over cricket to showcase their form. At the very least, they should participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to prove their match fitness.” This new policy ensures that even senior players must perform in domestic tournaments to secure their place in the national team.