Not just Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma! BCCI makes Vijay Hazare participation mandatory for all India players

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked players in the national setup to take part in domestic cricket ahead of the New Zealand series. According to news reports, current Indian players, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, must play a minimum of two matches in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.

There is a gap of nearly three weeks between India’s last T20I match against South Africa and the start of the ODI series against New Zealand. The board has urged players to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which begins on December 24. Fans will also get a chance to see international players in action.

BCCI Informs Indian Players of Mandatory Domestic Cricket Rule

According to a report by PTI, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has informed players about the new directive. The board made participation in domestic cricket mandatory after India’s poor Test series in Australia.

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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have already confirmed that they will be available for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The selectors have also asked senior players such as Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav to play at least two matches for their respective state teams.

Shreyas Iyer remains the only exception, as he is still recovering from injury and needs more time to regain fitness. All other senior players are expected to represent their state sides in the tournament.

The board has made it clear that the same rules apply to everyone in the squad. Notably, the move also counters claims that the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir are singling out players like Kohli and Rohit.

Players Told Vijay Hazare Participation Is Not Optional After Mullanpur T20I

The board will grant exemptions only if the Centre of Excellence declares a player unfit. However, officials believe players will have enough time to recover after the South Africa series.

“There are six rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy scheduled between December 24 and the 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 told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Jasprit Bumrah Returns Home for Family Emergency

Jasprit Bumrah flew back home before the third T20I because of a personal emergency. A close family member is in the hospital, and Bumrah decided to be with his family during this time. His return later in the series remains possible, but his family’s recovery is the top priority.

Meanwhile, the selectors will announce India’s T20 World Cup squad and the squad for the New Zealand T20I series on the same day. With the ICC deadline in place, the announcement is expected in the first week of January.

The players picked for the New Zealand T20Is will be the same group selected for the T20 World Cup. Notably, the Men in Blue will be hoping to defend the upcoming World Cup on home soil.

Also read: Steve Smith’s health scare sparks PANIC in Australian camp before 3rd Test of Ashes 2025-26