With a rare three-week break between international fixtures, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a decisive step to strengthen domestic cricket participation. All centrally contracted players — from seniors like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to rising stars — have been formally instructed to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy starting December 24.
The message, issued by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, was clear: participation is mandatory, not optional. According to a report by PTI, players were officially informed after the second T20I in Mullanpur.
“There are six rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy scheduled between December 24 and the start of the New Zealand ODIs. It is up to the players and their state associations to decide which two rounds they would like to play. But after the second T20I in Mullanpur, the players have been categorically told that playing Hazare isn’t optional,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.
All players, same rule: no exceptions unless injured
While early reports had focused on Rohit and Kohli, the new directive extends to the entire national team pool. Names like Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav are all expected to turn up for their respective state teams.
The only confirmed exception is Shreyas Iyer, who remains sidelined due to injury. According to BCCI policy, a player can be excused only if declared unfit by the Centre of Excellence — a standard that applies across the board.
The move comes in the wake of the post-Border-Gavaskar Trophy review earlier this year, which emphasized the need for greater domestic participation by contracted players. Officials believe the Vijay Hazare window provides the perfect opportunity, especially ahead of India’s January ODI series against New Zealand.
Bumrah departs temporarily for personal emergency
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah — one of the players expected to participate — briefly returned home during the ongoing South Africa T20I series.
“If all goes well, then he might return for the fourth or even fifth game (in Ahmedabad). But first priority is recovery of his family member,” a source familiar with Bumrah’s situation told PTI.
His availability for the final T20Is and domestic matches will depend on his family circumstances in the coming days.
India to announce NZ, T20 World Cup squads simultaneously
In another significant update, the BCCI has decided to streamline its selection process. The squad for the upcoming T20Is against New Zealand — which start January 11 — will be identical to the final squad submitted for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
“The squad that will be selected for the New Zealand T20Is will be the same that will be named for the T20 World Cup,” the source told PTI.
The announcement is expected in the first week of January, in line with the ICC’s submission deadline.
A message of accountability and preparation
The timing of this directive underlines the BCCI’s effort to ensure that national team players stay match-fit and engaged with the domestic circuit. It also squashes narratives that only high-profile names like Rohit and Kohli were being targeted for symbolic appearances.
Instead, the board has made its position clear: no special treatment, no loopholes — just a firm commitment to the structure that feeds Indian cricket’s international success.
