New Delhi:
India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube have informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) of their availability for two Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures scheduled for January 6 and January 8, strengthening Mumbai’s campaign in the prestigious domestic 50-over tournament.
Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare Trophy journey will begin in Jaipur on December 24, with their opening league match against Sikkim. According to a report by The Indian Express, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube are expected to feature in Mumbai’s matches against Himachal Pradesh on January 6, followed by Punjab on January 8.
An MCA official confirmed the development, saying,
“Surya and Dube have informed us that they will be playing two Vijay Hazare Trophy games on January 6th and 8th. Their names will be added to the Mumbai squad. As far as Rohit Sharma is concerned, he will be playing two league games at the moment.”
BCCI Mandate Brings Internationals Back to Domestic Cricket
The move aligns with the BCCI’s directive that all players who featured in India’s recent 3-1 T20I series win over South Africa must participate in at least two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, provided their schedules allow.
The Board has reiterated its push to strengthen domestic cricket by ensuring greater participation from international players. Selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar had earlier emphasised the importance of domestic exposure.
“Whenever players are available, they should be playing domestic cricket. That’s the only way to stay sharp and match-ready,” Agarkar had said.
Road to T20 World Cup 2026 Begins
The Indian T20I squad is currently enjoying a brief break before regrouping in Nagpur on January 21 for a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which will serve as the team’s final preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
India will kick off their title defence against the USA on February 7 at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur are expected to arrive in Jaipur shortly and participate in practice sessions ahead of Mumbai’s opening fixtures against Sikkim (December 24) and Uttarakhand (December 26).