In a significant development for domestic cricket, Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma is set to make his much-anticipated return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The veteran batsman will feature for Mumbai for the first time since 2018 in their Group C clash against Sikkim at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Wednesday, December 24.
A Strategic Return to Domestic Cricket
Rohit Sharma's inclusion in the Mumbai squad, led by captain Shardul Thakur, is a direct result of the BCCI's recent directive. The board has instructed its centrally-contracted players to participate in first-class matches when they are not on national duty. Having retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, and currently playing only ODIs for India, this move provides Sharma with crucial game time.
His return is perfectly timed ahead of India's upcoming ODI series against New Zealand next month. The right-handed opener has been in solid form, scoring three half-centuries and a century in recent outings against South Africa and Australia.
Rohit's History and Mumbai's Squad Strength
Rohit Sharma is no stranger to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, having played approximately 18 games for Mumbai and amassing close to 600 runs. His last appearance was in the 2018 knockout stages, where he scored 33 not out against Bihar in the quarterfinal and 17 in the semifinal against Hyderabad. He missed the final that year due to national team commitments.
For the current 2025-26 season, Sharma has been named in the squad specifically for the first two matches against Sikkim and Uttarakhand (on December 26). The full Mumbai squad boasts a mix of experience and youth:
- Shardul Thakur (Captain)
- Rohit Sharma (first 2 games)
- Ishan Mulchandani, Musheer Khan, Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Sarfaraz Khan, Siddhesh Lad, Chinmay Sutar
- Akash Anand (wicket-keeper), Hardik Tamore (wicket-keeper)
- Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande
- Onkar Tarmale, Sylvester D'Souza, Sairaj Patil, Suryansh Shedge
Match Details and How to Watch
The high-profile Group C encounter between Mumbai and Sikkim is scheduled for 9 AM IST on December 24 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Fans across India can catch the live telecast on Star Sports channels, which is the official broadcaster of the tournament. For those preferring digital platforms, the live streaming will be available on the JioStar app and its official website.
This return marks a major moment for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, highlighting the importance of top stars participating in domestic competitions. It not only strengthens Mumbai's campaign but also sets a precedent for other international players to follow, ensuring the vitality and competitive spirit of India's premier domestic one-day tournament.
