Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Star Power to Shine as Shubman Gill Leads the Line

New Delhi: The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 is set to witness a stellar lineup as Indian cricket stars gear up for action in domestic cricket. Indian One-Day captain Shubman Gill will represent Punjab, while seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and opener KL Rahul are also expected to feature for their respective teams.

Big Names Return to Domestic Arena
The tournament has already seen participation from legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, marking Kohli’s first match in nearly 16 years in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Rohit played in a domestic match after a gap of seven years. BCCI has mandated all contracted players to feature in at least two matches in the tournament, which will run until January 18, 2026. The group stage matches are scheduled until January 8, with more star Indian players expected to join in the new year.

Gill, Rahul, and Jadeja Ready for Action
India’s national team is scheduled to face New Zealand in an ODI series starting January 11. Before that, Gill, Jadeja, and Rahul will fulfill their domestic commitments. Gill will play for Punjab, Jadeja for Saurashtra, and Rahul for Karnataka. According to Crickbuzz reports, the players have confirmed their availability with their respective state associations.

Match Schedule Highlights

• Shubman Gill is expected to play Punjab’s matches against Sikkim and Goa on January 3 and 6, with Punjab currently placed fourth after two wins in their first three matches.
• Ravindra Jadeja may feature against Services and Gujarat on January 6 and 8.
• KL Rahul’s exact participation is yet to be confirmed, but he is likely to appear in the early January fixtures.

Gill Making a Comeback
Shubman Gill has not played an ODI since the Australia tour due to a neck injury sustained during the series against South Africa. While he made a return in T20s, his performance was not at its peak, and a subsequent injury led to him being dropped from the Indian T20 squad. His upcoming matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy are seen as a vital step in regaining form and match fitness ahead of the New Zealand series.