Published on: Nov 2, 2026 4:29 pm IST|Updated on: Nov 2, 2026 4:29 pm IST
Senior Indian batter Rohit Sharma has confirmed his availability for the forthcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy to play for his domestic side, Mumbai. The 39-year-old has officially informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) of the same. With an eye fixed firmly on the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, the veteran opening batsman has chosen to feature in domestic 50-over cricket to maintain peak match fitness, rhythm, and competitive sharpness.
Having stepped away from T20Is in 2024 and Test cricket in 2025, Rohit is left with ODIs as the only format in which he represents India currently. Rohit’s decision underlines his long-term commitment to leading India’s batting order in the ‘OG’ World Cup.
India’s premier domestic 50-over competition is scheduled to run through December, aligning with a brief international calendar for Team India. The star batter is expected to join Mumbai’s squad following India’s home white-ball assignments against Sri Lanka, as India is slated to host Sri Lanka in a 3-match ODI series.
By participating in Vijay Hazare Trophy’s domestic fixtures, the seasoned campaigner aims to log crucial middle-overs volume, test physical conditioning under demanding match scenarios, and mentor younger domestic talents within the Mumbai dressing room.
A source close to the developments emphasized the importance of game time for senior players looking to sustain intensity ahead of major ICC events:
“The development comes as India look to give their senior players more opportunities to feature in domestic cricket ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.”
Rohit hasn’t given up on his hopes of representing his beloved country in the 2027 ODI World Cup. His latest move of opting to play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy speaks volumes about his aspirations to feature in the marquee event next year, to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. For Rohit, maintaining optimal touch in the 50-over format remains paramount to structure is pathway towards the 2027 World Cup
What could Rohit work on during the domestic competition? The tournament can help the 39-year-old to preserve his hand-eye coordination, fine-tune tactical approaches against varied bowling attacks, and work on the shots he finds difficult to play. MCA officials have welcomed the decision, noting that his presence provides a massive inspirational boost to domestic players sharing the field with the World Cup-winning opener
After Rohit said yes to India’s premier 50-over domestic competition, fans are wondering whether another Indian great, Virat Kohli, would be participating in the tournament. As of now, there are reports suggesting Virat’s participation for his domestic team, Delhi, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2027. The stalwart batter, who also featured in the last edition of the tournament, could be in line to play, as the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president, Rohan Jaitley, has indicated that Virat Kohli will be available for Delhi at some stage of the tournament but remains subject to international workload management and scheduling around the domestic tournament.