Mumbai's veteran opener Rohit Sharma has communicated his availability to the Mumbai Cricket Association for the 2026-27 Vijay Hazare Trophy, with the 38-year-old expected to join the squad once India's three-match home ODI series against Sri Lanka concludes. That series runs from December 13 to 19, 2026.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy league stage gets underway on December 14 and continues through December 29, with the knockout rounds pencilled in between January 2 and January 8, 2027. Given that the Sri Lanka ODIs wrap up on December 19, Rohit's window of availability covers the final stretch of the league phase and the full knockout stage, subject to how many matches he commits to.
"He has informed us that he will be playing for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and to consider him available after India's three-ODI series against Sri Lanka at home. How many matches he will be available for, he will inform us later," an MCA Official told the Indian Express.
As reported by The Indian Express, the exact number of matches Rohit will participate in remains unconfirmed, as he is yet to provide the MCA with a complete schedule of his availability.
Why is Rohit Sharma returning to domestic cricket at this stage?
Senior Indian players have been encouraged to stay active in domestic formats ahead of major ICC events, and the ODI World Cup has been cited as a key motivating factor behind such decisions. Rohit's willingness to turn out for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy fits squarely within that broader push, keeping him match-ready in the 50-over format outside international commitments.
With an eye on the 2027 marquee event, Rohit would like to use his time in the domestic game as a preparation point for the event, and keep himself ready for the upcoming India assignments.
How did Rohit Sharma fare in his most recent Vijay Hazare Trophy outing?
Rohit's last Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign for Mumbai in the 2025-26 season was a mixed outing. The tournament opened in Jaipur, where he dismantled the Sikkim bowling attack for 155 off just 94 balls, a knock that demonstrated his capacity to take apart List A opposition when conditions suit him. However, the very next match brought a sharp reversal: facing Uttarakhand, he was dismissed for a golden duck, offering a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in the format.
As a specific honourable mention, Rohit's previous significant Vijay Hazare Trophy appearance for Mumbai dates to 2018, making the 2026-27 edition his second return to the competition in several years. That extended absence gives his confirmed availability added significance for the Mumbai camp as they build towards the league stage beginning December 14.
