There has been thrilling news in recent times that Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could be a part of the coming domestic white-ball season, including the coveted Vijay Hazare Trophy. This has created a lot of expectation among fans to see these veterans in domestic colors again.
This piece goes deeper into the details of their recent appearances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the implications for their future in Indian cricket.
Virat Kohli’s Recent Appearance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
Virat Kohli’s most recent participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was in the 2009-10 domestic season. He captained Delhi against Services at Gurgaon on February 18, 2010. Kohli made 16 runs off 8 balls as a number-five batter. Delhi, in turn, posted a commanding 311 runs under his captaincy, limiting Services to 198 and thus winning comprehensively by 113 runs. This appearance marked a transition in Kohli’s career as he became a staple in the Indian national team, rarely making appearances in domestic List A cricket afterwards.
Kohli had reached his peak of his domestic form that season, where he was the highest run-getter in the 2009 edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 534 runs, which demonstrated that he was not only consistent and valuable at the international level but also on Indian domestic pitches.
Rohit Sharma’s Last Vijay Hazare Trophy Appearance
Rohit Sharma last appeared in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in October 2018, when he played for Mumbai. Unlike Kohli, Rohit did manage to play due to a window in his Test obligations, where he could play the important knockout games of that tournament.
During the quarter-final against Bihar, Rohit produced a crucial innings, being unbeaten on 33 and demonstrating his capacity to hold the fort from the top order.
Mumbai played Hyderabad in the semi-final, and Rohit scored 17 off 24 balls at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Mumbai achieved a revised target and arranged the final against Delhi, but Rohit did not feature in the final because of national responsibilities. Mumbai won the tournament without him being present in the final match.
Recent Developments and Reasons Behind Their Domestic Absence
The extended interval between these top cricketers’ last appearances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is attributed to several factors:
- International Schedule: While Kohli and Sharma became regulars for the Indian national team, international commitments towards fixtures, tours, and ICC events made it difficult to be a part of domestic tournaments.
- BCCI Rules and ODI World Cup 2027: With the World Cup around the corner in 2027, BCCI allegedly put conditions on both Kohli and Rohit to play more domestic cricket, such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy, to be in the running for future ODI selection. The thrust is a new strategic effort to keep veteran players connected with the domestic circuit so that their form and fitness remain at their best for international events.
- Retirement from Other Forms: As of August 2025, Kohli and Rohit have retired from both Test and T20I cricket, limiting their focus strictly to ODIs. This raises questions as to whether their possible appearances at domestic cricket, such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy, may be a condition of continued selection.
Prospect for Future Appearance
In the future, pressure from BCCI and the competitive environment of Indian cricket suggest Kohli and Sharma can be expected to appear in the Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2025-26 season. This is part of an overhaul to make senior stars more accessible to domestic cricket and maintain their chances at World Cup 2027 selection. However, international fixtures like the imminent ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa might limit their participation to a few matches, if at all.
Conclusion
It’s obvious as an Indian cricket fan that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s legacy in domestic cricket is as important as it is at the international level. Such limited performances, especially that of Kohli as the skipper in 2010 and Rohit in knockout games of the Mumbai team in 2018, show that assimilating skills is essential in local events, which is relegated to the back seat by international considerations.
With the World Cup selection under pressure now, one can guess the two seniors will put renewed efforts to reach the local circuit again, as and when the necessity arises in terms of the BCCI. Their adventures demonstrate that home tournaments such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy can serve as a rich platform for old warhorses and new aspirants equally. Fans and selectors are closely observing, and any subsequent return by these heroes to the tournament would be a headline attraction, brimming with anticipation and excitement.
