In a noteworthy development in the current Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were not in the 3rd round of matches that took place on the 29th of December 2025. Both players were not part of the teams that represented Delhi or Mumbai respectively, drawing attention from both media and fans alike, as the most prestigious domestic one-day event is continuing across the country.
The two veteran players had played in their teams’ previous matches in the tournament, but weren’t included in the XI that played in the third round-robin matches. Delhi’s game against Saurashtra was played on the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Stadium in Alur and Mumbai played Chhattisgarh on the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur. But neither Kohli nor Rohit were on the field on Monday.
Sources from the team and officials confirmed their sources that Kohli as well as Rohit was not due to injuries or poor performance. In fact, their absence was a part of a schedule of workload management that was agreed upon by the team’s management and national selection committees. Both players were initially scheduled to play two games each during the tournament. After they had played the players were resting in preparation for more intense engagements in the world calendar.
Domestic Contributions Prior to Rest
While playing in the 50-over competition Both players put up impressive performance for the teams they played. Virat Kohli was impressive with the bat of Delhi with his performance, scoring an impressive 130 scores in his opening game and an impressive 77 in his subsequent game and proving his ongoing good form in the format of 50 overs following his return to the domestic scene.
Rohit Sharma representing Mumbai Mumbai, has also had a huge impact on the highest line during his time. In his debut appearance, Rohit hit an agressive 150 runs which provided his team with an impressive start. However, his next performance was the rare golden duck in Uttarakhand which highlighted the insanity of the game even for the most experienced players.
When their two-match limit was completed, the decision was taken to detain the two players from the third game, allowing them to take a break from unnecessary work in the lead up to critical matches for their Indian National team.
Focus on Upcoming International Fixtures
The time for strategic rest is now in the midst of India is getting ready for a significant domestic One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on the 11th of January 2026. Each Kohli as well as Rohit are expected to make the Indian ODI team for the series and are expected to report to the national team to get ready for the coming matches.
Their return to the international scene highlights the importance on national obligations over prolonged participation in domestic competitions, especially when the international calendar requires the highest level of fitness and performance. As the ODI series against New Zealand approaching, the team has chosen to combine the practice of matches with rest to preserve the players’ performance levels for the more difficult international games.
Future Participation in Vijay Hazare Trophy
According to sources in the cricket world, Virat Kohli could still be a part of at the very least one more Vijay Hazare Trophy match later during the tournament. Some speculation suggests that he might be included in Delhi’s game with Railways which is scheduled to take place on the 6th of January, 2026 which would give him an additional opportunity to practice his batting before his duties in the national team start. But, it is dependent on the next selection decision by the team’s management.
However, Rohit Sharma is not currently likely to be returning to this year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai. The veteran batter’s participation in the tournament’s domestic competition seems to have ended with two appearances giving him the chance to focus on the upcoming international tournaments without the added burden of additional domestic obligations.
Team Adjustments and Broader Context
In the absence of Kohli or Rohit has opened up opportunities for other players in Mumbai and Delhi as well as Mumbai squads to take on the role. Mumbai’s third-round game against Chhattisgarh the team was able to continue its winning streak after winning back-to-back times in previous games. In the meantime, Delhi continued its campaign against Saurashtra by rearranging its line-up of batsmen in the absence of its leading batter.
The approach of the management is a trend that is growing in modern cricket, where players’ rotation and management of workload are precisely adjusted to ensure long-term stability and optimal performance across different formats. With a busy cricket calendar that includes domestic competitions bi-series, bilateral series, as well as significant ICC events, the balance between time off and playing is now a crucial aspect for national teams and franchises too.
When the Vijay Hazare Trophy progresses through the groups Teams will continue to fight for a spot in knockout rounds even as marquee players such as Kohli and Sharma shift their focus on national duty. This absence by prominent athletes in the 3rd round demonstrates the interplay of cricket’s international and domestic schedules that determine player participation.
Implications for Domestic Cricket
The upcoming removal from Kohli and Rohit will also highlight the increasing focus on the strategic use of players within the domestic cricket frameworks. While many fans would be disappointed to see these experienced players playing for their national teams, their rest time is designed to be in line with the larger goals in fitness and career.
The limited involvement of this year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy can also be seen as a part of an evolving cricket environment that has star players contributing to national competitions while simultaneously preparing for international competitions. This strategy aims to maintain the highest standards of competition while ensuring player well-being in a crowded cricket calendar.
When Virat Kohli as well as Rohit Sharma gear up for their back to their Indian ODI setup, attention is shifting from their provincial obligations to goals for national recognition, which reflects the double responsibilities that these players with experience carry for international and domestic cricket.