Rohit Sharma declares unavailability for Vijay Hazare Trophy despite BCCI's directive

Former India captain Rohit Sharma has not been included in Mumbai’s squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, despite the BCCI directive for players to take part in domestic cricket. T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, and all-rounder Shivam Dube have also not been named in the Mumbai squad.

The Mumbai Cricket Association held a selection meeting on Friday, December 19, to finalize the squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 50-over tournament is set to begin on Wednesday, December 24. Notably, the BCCI reportedly urged players to feature in at least two matches in the List-A competition.

Participating in the domestic tournament will help players stay match-ready ahead of the home ODI series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to take place in January 2026.

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Mumbai Selectors Clarify Absence of Rohit Sharma and Other Players

According to the Times of India, Mumbai’s selectors have said that India players will be added to the squad once their availability is confirmed. Rohit Sharma has shown interest in returning to domestic cricket as part of his plans, similar to Virat Kohli, who has been named in Delhi’s provisional squad.

Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube are unavailable as they are currently part of India’s ongoing T20I series against South Africa. Both players are also expected to remain with the national setup for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is absent due to health reasons. The young opener is recovering from gastroenteritis after playing for Mumbai in the latter stages of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He recently shared an update on social media, confirming that he is feeling better.

It's Not Right to Name Them in the Squad - Selection Committee Chairman

Mumbai's senior selection committee chairman Sanjay Patil said that naming unavailable players would be unfair, as it could block opportunities for younger cricketers. Patil also confirmed that Jaiswal will be brought into the squad only after receiving clearance from the medical team.

"All these India players will be accommodated in the Mumbai squad when they are available. If they aren't available, it's not right to name them in the squad and deprive a youngster of a place in the team," Sanjay Patil told TOI.

"He will be included in the Mumbai squad once he gets clearance from the medical team," Patil added.

Mumbai Set to Open 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy Campaign Against Sikkim

Mumbai will begin their 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign with a match against Sikkim on December 24. The group stage of the tournament will run from December 24 to January 8, with all of Mumbai’s matches scheduled to be played in Jaipur.

The Shardul Thakur-led side has been placed in Elite Group C, alongside Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Goa.

Notably, the group stage will finish just a few days before India’s ODI series against New Zealand, which begins on January 11. The Vijay Hazare Trophy is expected to be important for players aiming to push for national selection.

Mumbai’s squad includes Sarfaraz Khan, along with young batters Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Musheer Khan. Opener Ishan Mulchandani has earned his maiden call-up. Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane will miss the opening matches as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury

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