Team India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 as the team continues to carefully manage his workload. According to The Times of India, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is taking no risks with their premium pacer ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India asked Indian players to play at least two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Following the directive, senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returned to the domestic tournament, which began on December 24. They were included in the Delhi and Mumbai squads, respectively.
Official Confirmation: Why Bumrah is Skipping Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Along with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, players such as Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Arshdeep Singh are also set to play at least two matches as part of the domestic one-day competition.
However, Jasprit Bumrah will miss the tournament for Gujarat. The Gujarat Cricket Association confirmed that Bumrah has been rested and will not take part in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“Bumrah will not feature in VHT as he is taking rest,” GCA secretary Anil Patel was quoted as saying by the Times of India on Tuesday.
Jasprit Bumrah Withdrawn from Vijay Hazare Trophy as BCCI Manages Workload
Fans were delighted with the return of senior Indian players to domestic cricket. However, Jasprit Bumrah did not feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, as BCCI workload management continues.
Bumrah’s absence from domestic cricket has also raised questions about his availability for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. He recently played in the T20I series against South Africa but missed the three-match ODI series.
With India yet to announce their ODI squad for New Zealand, he might miss another ODI series for India. Meanwhile, the visitors have named a second-string team for the ODI series, led by Michael Bracewell. Several senior New Zealand players are unavailable due to T20 franchise commitments.
New Zealand Cricket has allowed those players to skip the ODIs as part of long-term planning for the T20 World Cup 2026. India may rest Bumrah and avoid taking any risks with their lead fast bowler.
Jasprit Bumrah Set to Return During New Zealand T20I Series
Jasprit Bumrah is not expected to be out of action for long. He is likely to be picked for India during the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in late January. The series is scheduled to take place from January 21 to 31 across multiple Indian venues.
Notably, Bumrah will maintain his match fitness while keeping his workload under close watch. Following the T20I series, he will have enough recovery time before India’s next major assignment.
As one of the co-hosts of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, India will begin their campaign on February 7 against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India’s approach remains focused on careful rotation rather than rushing their lead fast bowler.
Also read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes second-fastest List A hundred by an Indian in VHT; full list revealed
