World’s top-ranked ODI batter Rohit Sharma is expected to return to domestic cricket for Mumbai in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is set to take place from December 24 to January 18. According to reports, Rohit is likely to play a few games before joining India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series.
India are set to host New Zealand for a three-match ODI series in January 2026. The games will take place in Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore on January 11, 14, and 18, respectively. Rohit last featured for India in the Visakhapatnam ODI against South Africa, where he scored 75. The Men in Blue won that home series 2-1.
Rohit Sharma Expected to Feature for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
According to a report in RevSportz on Friday (December 12), Rohit Sharma is expected to feature for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, the Mumbai Cricket Association has not yet received formal confirmation from him.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Rohit is still part of Mumbai’s plans and may play selected matches, with squads being chosen game by game. His availability will depend on his schedule ahead of India’s ODI series against New Zealand in January, and the final decision is likely after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
“The squad will be picked on a match-to-match basis, and we expect Rohit to play a few games, although we haven’t received any confirmation from him yet,” an MCA source was quoted as saying by RevSportz.
“But there’s time. The squad is likely to be picked next week, after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. There are ODIs against New Zealand next month as well, so it will depend on his availability,” the source added.
Rohit Sharma’s Outstanding Form in ODIs
Rohit Sharma has been in exceptional form in ODIs. This year, he scored 650 runs in 14 matches at an average of 50 and a strike rate above 100, including six half-centuries and two centuries.
The right-handed batter is currently at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings with 781 rating points. Sharma delivered two half-centuries in the recent three-match ODI series against South Africa and finished with 146 runs at a strike rate of 110.60 as India won the contest 2-1.
Rohit has now played 279 ODIs, scoring 11,516 runs at an average of 49.21, including 33 centuries and 61 half-centuries. Notably, the 38-year-old has retired from Tests and T20Is.
When Did Rohit Sharma Last Play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Rohit Sharma last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2018–19 season. He appeared in two matches for Mumbai because he was not part of the Test team at that time.
The opening batter scored an unbeaten 33 in the quarterfinal against Bihar and added 17 runs in the semifinal against Hyderabad. Mumbai won both games and reached the final.
However, Rohit did not play the final because he had to join the Indian team for the ODI series against the West Indies. Mumbai still lifted the trophy after beating Delhi, with Ajinkya Rahane and Prithvi Shaw opening the innings in Rohit’s absence.
Also read: IPL 2026 Auction: Top 5 Most Expensive Overseas Players Announced
