Rohit Sharma Returns to Mumbai Squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Shardul Thakur Named Captain

The Mumbai squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy has been announced, with former Indian captain Rohit Sharma making a much-anticipated return. Rohit will feature in the first two matches against Sikkim (24 Dec) and Uttarakhand (26 Dec). His participation follows a new BCCI rule mandating that all national team players must play at least two domestic one-day matches, provided they are fit. Rohit’s inclusion is a major boost for Mumbai and is expected to elevate the overall standard of domestic cricket.

The captaincy of the team has been handed to experienced all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who will lead a squad blending youth and experience.

Notable Absences
Star players Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shivam Dube will not be part of the initial squad. Yashasvi Jaiswal is currently hospitalized in Pune due to a severe stomach illness sustained during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Selection committee chairman Sanjay Patil confirmed that Yashasvi will rejoin the team once medically cleared. Veteran batsman Ajinkya Rahane has also opted out of the opening matches to recover from a hamstring injury, with a likely return later in the tournament.

Opportunities for Young Talent
The Mumbai squad strikes a balance between experienced campaigners and emerging talent. Ishan Mulchandani has been included for the first time, while Sarfaraz Khan—who scored 329 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy—and his younger brother Musheer Khan will strengthen the batting lineup. Promising young batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi continues to enjoy selectors’ confidence. Under Shardul Thakur’s captaincy, Mumbai’s squad looks well-rounded, with depth in both batting and bowling departments.

Tournament Schedule
The Vijay Hazare Trophy group stage will run from 24 December 2025 to 8 January 2026, with Mumbai placed in Elite Group C, playing all matches in Jaipur. Mumbai will face teams including Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Goa. The tournament serves as an ideal preparation platform for Indian players ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand, starting 11 January 2026. Virat Kohli is also expected to feature for Delhi, adding further excitement to the domestic season.