Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Expected to Play Vijay Hazare Trophy: BCCI's New Domestic Cricket Plan Revealed

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to play at least three, possibly four, Vijay Hazare Trophy matches between the Australia tour and the New Zealand ODI series in January 2026, signaling that both veterans intend to continue their international careers beyond the upcoming Australia series. This plan aligns with BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar's mandate that all centrally contracted players must participate in domestic cricket when available.

The Five-Week Window

A significant five-week gap exists between India's last ODI against South Africa on December 6 in Visakhapatnam and the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11 in Vadodara. The Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's premier 50-over domestic tournament, begins on December 24, providing the perfect opportunity for both veterans to maintain match fitness.

A BCCI source speaking to PTI revealed the expectations:

"Between the last ODI against South Africa on December 6 at Visakhapatnam and the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara on January 11, there is a gap of five weeks. The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24. There will be six rounds of games for Mumbai. Rohit will be expected to at least play three rounds before linking up with the squad. Ditto for Virat."

Six Rounds for Delhi and Mumbai

Both Delhi (Kohli's team) and Mumbai (Rohit's team) will play six rounds during this period: December 24, 26, 29, 31, January 3, 6, and 8. While neither player is mandated to participate in all six matches, the BCCI expects them to feature in at least three rounds to prove their form and commitment.

Ashwin's Endorsement

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired, voiced strong support for this approach on his YouTube channel.

"If you need their services, you have to find a way. For example, the India 'A' series happened, so you need to ask them to play that series because there is not much 50-over cricket. They should have said that if you don't play the series, I don't think you fit in the plan. If not this series, then they have to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, because that will let us know the kind of form you are in."

Ashwin's comments reflect the broader expectation that aging cricketers cannot rely solely on occasional international matches to maintain the fitness and form required for elite competition.

The 2027 World Cup Context

This domestic cricket requirement becomes crucial when viewed through the lens of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 38 by the tournament—ages where maintaining match sharpness becomes exponentially harder with limited playing opportunities. India has approximately 20 ODIs scheduled before the World Cup, making domestic cricket participation essential for staying match-ready.

Both players have already retired from Tests and T20Is, leaving ODIs as their sole international format. This creates a paradox: the format they play most infrequently is also the only one they compete in, making regular domestic cricket necessary to fill the gaps.

Retirement Speculation Addressed

Recent reports suggested both might retire after the Australia series, but this Vijay Hazare Trophy plan indicates otherwise. If the BCCI and the players are planning their participation three months in advance, it strongly suggests both intend to continue their international careers at least through the New Zealand series and possibly toward the 2027 World Cup.

The plan represents a compromise between respecting their legendary status and enforcing the merit-based culture that Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir are implementing. Rather than automatic selection based on past achievements, both must prove their current form through domestic performances.