The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has made it obligatory for all present nationwide group gamers to take part in a minimum of two matches of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, which begins on December 24. The directive comes within the three-week hole between India’s final T20I towards South Africa in Ahmedabad on December 19 and the primary ODI towards New Zealand on January 11, 2026.
The Board needs its senior gamers to make use of this era to remain match-fit and keep type by enjoying home cricket. The diktat has been communicated to gamers by the nationwide choice committee, led by Ajit Agarkar.
This transfer aligns with suggestions from a assessment carried out after India’s disappointing Take a look at sequence in Australia earlier this yr. The assessment had pressured the significance of giving better emphasis to home cricket throughout codecs to make sure gamers stay in peak situation.
Rohit, Kohli Affirm Availability for Vijay Hazare
Veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have already confirmed their availability for the match. Different senior gamers, together with Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav, have additionally been instructed to play a minimum of two matches for his or her respective state groups. Shreyas Iyer is anticipated to take longer to regain full health, however all different gamers are prone to symbolize their state sides.
“There are six rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy scheduled between December 24 and the beginning of the New Zealand ODIs. It’s as much as the gamers and their state associations to resolve which two rounds they want to play. However after the second T20I in Mullanpur, the gamers have been categorically advised that enjoying Hazare is not elective,” a senior BCCI official advised PTI on situation of anonymity.
Exceptions will solely be made if a participant is asserted unfit by the BCCI’s Heart of Excellencehowever officers consider there may be ample time for gamers to recuperate after the South Africa sequence.
The transfer additionally addresses considerations that the choice committee and head coach Gautam Gambhir have been focusing on skilled gamers equivalent to Kohli and Rohit. Making participation within the Vijay Hazare Trophy obligatory for all senior gamers sends a transparent message that the foundations apply equally to everybody.
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