Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26: How to Follow Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Return to Domestic Cricket

Indian cricket fans are all set for a special moment as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to domestic cricket for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26. Two of India’s most celebrated cricketers will once again represent their respective state teams, with Kohli playing for Delhi and Rohit Sharma turning out for Mumbai.

Their return has created plenty of excitement among cricket fans, who are eager to know when the matches will be played, where they will take place and how they can follow the action.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Return for Their State Teams

Virat Kohli will represent Delhi, while Rohit Sharma will play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26.

Both teams are scheduled to begin their campaigns on Wednesday, December 24. Delhi will take on Andhra, while Mumbai will face Sikkim in their opening fixture.

For Kohli and Rohit, these matches are important for more than just domestic cricket. With India’s focus increasingly turning towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, the Vijay Hazare Trophy provides both players with an opportunity to get valuable match practice and spend time in competitive conditions.

Why Virat Kohli’s Delhi Match Was Shifted

Virat Kohli’s return was initially expected to take place at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The venue would have made the occasion even more special because of Kohli’s long association with Bengaluru cricket.

However, security and crowd-management concerns led authorities to reconsider the venue. The Delhi vs Andhra match was subsequently moved to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE).

The match is being played behind closed doors, meaning spectators are not permitted inside the venue. While this has disappointed fans hoping to see Kohli in person, the decision was taken with safety and crowd control in mind.

Where Will Rohit Sharma Play?

Rohit Sharma will begin his Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign with Mumbai. The Mumbai team’s matches are scheduled to take place in Jaipur.

Mumbai will face Sikkim in its opening game before continuing its group-stage campaign against Uttarakhand.

Rohit’s presence is expected to attract considerable attention, particularly because he has not featured regularly in domestic one-day cricket in recent years.

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 Match Timings

The opening matches involving the two Indian stars are scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM IST on December 24.

The key fixtures are:

With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returning on the same day, the Vijay Hazare Trophy has attracted much more attention than a typical domestic tournament.

Is Virat Kohli vs Andhra Live Telecast Available?

One of the biggest questions among fans is whether they can watch Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma live on television or through online streaming.

For these particular matches, live TV coverage and live streaming are not available. This means fans will not be able to watch every ball through an official broadcast.

This has understandably disappointed many supporters, especially those who were waiting to see Kohli return to domestic cricket after a long gap.

How to Follow Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Matches

Even without live video coverage, fans can keep track of the matches through several options.

Live Scores

Live scorecards can provide updates about runs, wickets, overs, strike rates and other important match details.

Ball-by-Ball Updates

Some cricket platforms provide text-based ball-by-ball commentary, allowing fans to follow the match delivery by delivery.

Match Reports

Post-match reports will provide details about Kohli’s and Rohit’s performances, along with the final result and major moments from the game.

Social Media Updates

Team accounts, journalists and cricket platforms are also expected to share important updates during and after the matches.

Why Kohli and Rohit’s Domestic Return Is Important

The return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to domestic cricket is significant for several reasons.

Both players have already achieved remarkable success at the international level, but their participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy highlights the importance of domestic cricket even for established stars.

The tournament also gives younger cricketers an opportunity to share the dressing room with experienced international players. Their presence can provide valuable lessons in preparation, discipline and handling pressure.

For Kohli and Rohit themselves, competitive domestic matches can help maintain rhythm and match fitness as India builds towards its future ODI commitments.

A Big Boost for the Vijay Hazare Trophy

The presence of two major Indian cricket stars has brought additional attention to the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26.

Normally, domestic one-day matches receive less attention than international fixtures and the IPL. However, the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has changed that situation, with fans closely following their teams, schedules and performances.

Their participation could also encourage greater interest in domestic cricket among younger fans who may not regularly follow the tournament.

Final Thoughts

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 has received a major boost with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returning to domestic cricket for Delhi and Mumbai respectively.

Although fans may not be able to watch their matches live on television or through streaming, they can still follow the action through live scores, commentary and match updates.