Anticipation is building among Indian cricket fans as rumors suggest that two of the sport’s biggest names, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, might feature in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. The domestic 50-over tournament is scheduled to take place between December 24 and January 8, and the presence of these stalwarts would undoubtedly add significant excitement.
A recent PTI report indicates that both Rohit and Kohli, who have notably retired from Test and T20I cricket, are expected to play a handful of matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The report specifically mentions, “Rohit and Virat are expected to play three games in the tournament.”
For those hoping to watch Virat Kohli in action, his Delhi squad will be based in Bengaluru. They are slated to play seven matches, with two scheduled at the famous M Chinnaswamy Stadium and the remaining five at Alur.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai team will compete in Jaipur, where they will play all their tournament fixtures.
Both cricketers have a history with the Vijay Hazare Trophy, though it has been a while since their last appearances. Rohit Sharma last played in the tournament during the 2018/19 season’s semi-final. That marked his second time participating, following two matches in 2017 and one in 2013. He made his Vijay Hazare Trophy debut in 2007, just four months before his international debut for India.
Virat Kohli’s last appearance in the tournament stretches back even further to 2010, when he played against Services. Coincidentally, Kohli’s own VHT debut also occurred four months before he made his international debut in 2008.
Statistically, Virat Kohli has an impressive record in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, having amassed 819 runs in 13 innings at an outstanding average of 68.25. His tally includes four centuries and three half-centuries. Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, has scored 823 runs in 24 innings at an average of 37.40, with one century and five fifties.
Vijay Hazare Trophy – Delhi Schedule
| Date | Opposition |
|---|---|
| December 24 | vs Andhra |
| December 26 | vs Gujarat |
| December 29 | vs Saurashtra |
| December 31 | vs Odisha |
| January 3 | vs Services |
| January 6 | vs Railways |
| January 8 | vs Haryana |
Vijay Hazare Trophy – Mumbai Schedule
| Date | Opposition |
|---|---|
| December 24 | vs Sikkim |
| December 26 | vs Uttarakhand |
| December 29 | vs Chhattisgarh |
| December 31 | vs Goa |
| January 3 | vs Maharashtra |
| January 6 | vs Himachal Pradesh |
| January 8 | vs Punjab |