India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav and star all-rounder Shivam Dube are set to make a short return to domestic cricket, but it will be a major boost for Mumbai in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. They will be available for a couple of matches in the tournament.
As reported by The Indian Express, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube both have informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that they will be available to play two matches for Mumbai on January 6 and January 8 at the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube to play two Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 matches for Mumbai
Mumbai will play all their league matches of the 50-over tournament in Jaipur. They will begin their campaign against Sikkim on December 24. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube will only be available for the later stages of their Group C matches in the tournament.
Read Also: Shubman Gill sent back to domestic cricket after T20I axing, denied Punjab captaincy
The two Indian stars have confirmed that they will play Mumbai’s last two Elite Group C matches against Himachal Pradesh on January 6 and Punjab on January 8. This means they will miss the majority of the premier tournament. Well, their decision is part of the BCCI’s directive.
A Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express: “Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube have informed us that they will be playing two Vijay Hazare Trophy games on January 6th and 8th. Their names will be added to the Mumbai squad. As far as Rohit Sharma is concerned, he will be playing two league games at the moment.”
No break for Suryakumar Yadav and Co. as BCCI mandates VHT games
The report also revealed that all T20I players who were part of India’s recent T20I series against South Africa have been asked to play at least two matches in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. The BCCI has already informed all contracted players about the same.
After the Vijay Hazare Trophy games, the Indian players will get a short break of less than a month, as they will regroup in Nagpur on January 21 for the first T20I of the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. They will also play three ODIs against the Black Caps before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.
Rohit Sharma to join Mumbai squad in Jaipur on Monday for Vijay Hazare Trophy
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma is all set to join the Mumbai team for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament in Jaipur on Monday, December 22. The same report noted that Rohit, along with Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur, is expected to reach Jaipur on Monday.
They will attend the team’s practice session on Tuesday. Rohit, who is currently the world’s top-ranked ODI batter, was named in Mumbai’s squad on Friday. He is likely to play a couple of matches for Mumbai in India’s premier 50-over competition before the New Zealand ODIs.
After facing Sikkim on December 24, Mumbai will take on Uttarakhand on December 26 in Jaipur. Later, they will face Chhattisgarh on December 29, Goa on December 31, and Maharashtra on January 3 in their next three games in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament.
