Rohit Sharma to Play Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026-27

Rohit Sharma has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that he will be available to represent Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026-27, giving the domestic side a major boost ahead of the upcoming tournament. The India opener is expected to join the squad after completing the national team’s three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at home in December.

According to a report by The Indian Express, Sharma has communicated his availability to the MCA but has not yet confirmed how many matches he will play. His participation will provide an opportunity to gain valuable 50-over match practice as India prepare for the next ODI World Cup.

The development also comes amid reports that Sharma could return to the captaincy of Mumbai Indians for IPL 2027. The franchise is reportedly considering bringing back the five-time IPL-winning captain after a disappointing campaign under Hardik Pandya.

Rohit Sharma Confirms Availability for Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Rohit Sharma has told the MCA that he intends to play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which begins in December. An MCA source confirmed the development, explaining that the veteran batter will become available after India’s ODI assignment against Sri Lanka.

“He has informed us that he will be playing for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and to consider him available after India’s three-ODI series against Sri Lanka at home. How many matches he will be available for, he will inform us later,” the MCA source said.

India’s three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to take place from December 13 to 19. The matches will be played in Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, with the opening fixture scheduled one day before the Vijay Hazare Trophy league stage begins.

Sharma’s availability will therefore depend on the completion of his international commitments. Although he has confirmed his intention to represent Mumbai, the exact number of domestic matches he will feature in remains undecided.

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026-27 Schedule and Rohit’s Availability

The league stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled to run from December 14 to 29, while the knockout matches will take place between January 2 and 8. With India’s ODI series against Sri Lanka ending on December 19, Sharma could be available for the latter part of the league competition.

India will also play a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka from December 22. However, Sharma will not be involved in that assignment, leaving him with a potential window to represent Mumbai during the final ten days of the Vijay Hazare Trophy league stage.

The league matches are scheduled across Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Ranchi and Rajkot. The knockout stage will be held in Visakhapatnam, giving Mumbai and other participating teams a busy domestic schedule during the winter season.

India’s next ODI assignment after the Sri Lanka series will be a three-match series against Zimbabwe, beginning on January 3. The timing could affect Sharma’s availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout matches, which are scheduled to overlap with the international fixtures.

The final ODI against Zimbabwe is scheduled to be played at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on January 9. With international cricket and domestic commitments close together, Sharma’s eventual match schedule for Mumbai will become clearer once his availability is confirmed.

Rohit Sharma’s Previous Vijay Hazare Trophy Appearance

This will not be the first time Sharma has made himself available for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in recent seasons. During the previous edition, the senior batter returned to the domestic competition and played two matches in Jaipur.

Those appearances marked his first Vijay Hazare Trophy matches since 2018. Sharma made an immediate impact in his opening game against Sikkim, scoring an impressive 155 runs from 94 deliveries. His innings demonstrated his ability to dominate domestic bowling attacks in the 50-over format.

However, his second appearance produced a contrasting result. Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck against Uttarakhand two days after his century, ending his short campaign with one major contribution and one disappointing outing.

Before that return, Sharma had represented Mumbai in 18 Vijay Hazare Trophy matches. His experience and leadership make him an important figure for the state side, particularly for younger players looking to learn from one of India’s most successful international batters.

His decision to participate again reflects the importance of Domestic Cricket in maintaining match readiness. Since Sharma now plays only one international format for India, the Vijay Hazare Trophy provides an opportunity to remain active in competitive 50-over cricket.

Domestic Cricket Could Help Rohit Prepare for the ODI World Cup

Sharma’s decision to play domestic cricket is significant because India have an important ODI calendar ahead. The experienced opener retired from T20 internationals in 2024 and announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2025, leaving him focused on the 50-over format at international level.

With the next ODI World Cup approaching, regular match practice could help Sharma maintain his rhythm and preparation. Domestic matches would allow him to spend time at the crease, face different bowling attacks and work on his game in competitive conditions.

India do not have any scheduled ODI matches between the Zimbabwe series and the IPL. That gap makes the Vijay Hazare Trophy an important opportunity for Sharma to gain additional match time before the next phase of his international commitments.

Sharma recently trained at the MCA-BKC ground, underlining his continued connection with Mumbai cricket. He is also part of India’s ODI squad for the five-match series in New Zealand, which begins next week, according to the supplied report.

For Mumbai, his presence could strengthen the batting lineup and provide valuable experience during the league stage. His participation would also attract attention to the tournament, given his standing as one of India’s leading white-ball players.

Rohit Sharma Could Return as Mumbai Indians Captain in IPL 2027

Alongside his domestic cricket plans, Sharma could also be set for a significant change at the IPL level. The Indian Express has reported that Mumbai Indians are likely to hand him the captaincy again for the 2027 season.

Sharma previously led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles, establishing himself as one of the most successful captains in the competition’s history. His title tally is matched only by MS Dhoni, highlighting his record as a leader in the tournament.

However, Mumbai Indians have struggled to return to the top in recent seasons. Their wait for another IPL championship has now reached six years, increasing attention on the franchise’s leadership and team-building decisions.

Under Hardik Pandya, Mumbai lost 10 of their 14 matches in the most recent IPL campaign and finished ninth in the standings. The disappointing season has reportedly prompted discussions about the team’s future captaincy arrangement.

According to the report, Sharma initially suggested Tilak Varma as a possible captain. However, he agreed to take over again after the franchise approached him about returning to the leadership role.

It is important to note that the captaincy change remains a reported possibility rather than an officially confirmed appointment. Mumbai Indians have yet to announce their leadership plans for IPL 2027.

What Rohit Sharma’s Return Could Mean for Mumbai Indians

If Mumbai Indians bring Sharma back as captain, the move would represent a major shift in the franchise’s leadership structure. His previous success with the team and experience of handling high-pressure IPL matches would make him a familiar choice for the role.

Sharma’s leadership record is closely associated with Mumbai’s most successful period. Under his captaincy, the franchise won five championships, building a reputation as one of the strongest teams in the competition.

His potential return could also influence the team’s approach to the next season, particularly after the disappointing finish under Pandya. However, the franchise will need more than a captaincy change to improve its results, with squad balance and consistent performances also likely to be important factors.

For now, Sharma’s confirmed domestic commitment is his availability for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His exact number of appearances will be announced later, while reports about his possible IPL 2027 captaincy remain subject to an official decision.

With the Sri Lanka ODI series, domestic competition and Zimbabwe assignment falling within a relatively short period, Sharma faces a busy schedule. His return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy could provide valuable preparation for India’s future ODI commitments while giving Mumbai a significant boost in the domestic tournament.