Kohli & Rohit Skip Vijay Hazare Opener: What It Means for Mumbai and Delhi’s Title Hopes

The Vijay Hazare Trophy kicked off with a surprising twist: two of India’s biggest cricketing icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, were nowhere to be seen on the field. As Mumbai and Delhi opted to bowl first against Chhattisgarh and Saurashtra respectively, fans were left wondering—was this a planned rest, a fitness precaution, or a signal of deeper fatigue after a grueling international calendar?

While domestic cricket often serves as a proving ground for emerging talent, the absence of such marquee players in the tournament’s opening fixtures raises questions about team dynamics, leadership, and the evolving relationship between national stars and India’s premier List A competition.

Table of Contents

• Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025: Opening Day Recap
• Why Are Kohli and Rohit Missing?
• Impact on Mumbai Cricket Without Rohit Sharma
• Delhi Leadership Vacuum in Kohli’s Absence
• The Rising Stars Who Must Step Up
• Broader Trend: Are Top Players Withdrawing from Domestic Cricket?
• What This Means for India’s 50-Over Future
• Conclusion: Rest Strategy or Warning Sign?
• Sources

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025: Opening Day Recap

The 2025 edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy began with high stakes but without its biggest names. Mumbai, led by captain Ajinkya Rahane in Rohit Sharma’s absence, won the toss and chose to bowl against Chhattisgarh. Similarly, Delhi captain Himmat Singh opted to field first against a strong Saurashtra side featuring players like Arpit Vasavada and Chetan Sakariya .

Without Kohli and Rohit, both teams are relying heavily on their middle-order stalwarts and young bench strength to set the tone in this crucial 50-over tournament, which often serves as a selection trial for India’s ODI squad.

Why Are Kohli and Rohit Missing?

Official team sheets confirmed the duo’s names were not in the playing XI, but neither BCCI nor the state associations have issued a formal statement. However, cricket insiders suggest this is part of a carefully managed workload plan:

• Post-World Cup Recovery: Both players featured heavily in the 2025 Champions Trophy and recent bilateral series.
• IPL 2025 Preparations: With the mega auction and pre-season camps approaching, veterans may be prioritizing fitness over domestic cricket.
• Strategic Rest: The BCCI’s revised workload management policy now allows senior players to skip early domestic fixtures if match-ready for international duty .

Still, their absence is notable. Historically, both Kohli (Delhi) and Rohit (Mumbai) have used the Vijay Hazare Trophy to fine-tune form before international assignments.

Impact on Mumbai Cricket Without Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma isn’t just a player for Mumbai—he’s a mentor and finisher. His absence strips the lineup of its explosive top-order firepower and calm under pressure. Captain Rahane, while experienced, offers a different batting tempo. Youngsters like Tilak Varma and Siddhesh Lad must now carry the run-scoring burden against Chhattisgarh’s disciplined attack .

Delhi Leadership Vacuum in Kohli’s Absence

For Delhi, Kohli’s absence is more than tactical—it’s symbolic. As the team’s most recognizable figure, his presence usually galvanizes the squad. In his stead, Himmat Singh, a gritty all-rounder, must inspire a side featuring promising talents like Vipraj Nigam and Lalit Yadav. Against a seasoned Saurashtra unit, this leadership test could define Delhi’s campaign .

The Rising Stars Who Must Step Up

This void is a golden opportunity for emerging players:

• Mumbai: Yashasvi Jaiswal (if available), Suved Parkar, and Shams Mulani need to anchor the innings.
• Delhi: Ayush Badoni and Hrithik Shokeen must convert starts into big scores to catch national selectors’ eyes.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy has launched careers—think Shubman Gill or Ruturaj Gaikwad. This year could be their moment.

Broader Trend: Are Top Players Withdrawing from Domestic Cricket?

Kohli and Rohit aren’t alone. KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah have also scaled back domestic participation in recent years. While workload management is valid, critics argue this weakens the competitive standard of India’s domestic circuit—a concern echoed by former selectors like Saba Karim .

For context, Cricket Australia and the ECB mandate minimum domestic appearances for centrally contracted players. India may need to revisit its balance between rest and responsibility.

What This Means for India’s 50-Over Future

With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, the Vijay Hazare Trophy is a critical testing ground. If senior players disengage, the pipeline for match-ready ODI talent could dry up. On the flip side, giving youth more exposure might accelerate their development—provided the competition remains intense.

Conclusion: Rest Strategy or Warning Sign?

The absence of Kohli and Rohit from the opening round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is likely a calculated move by the BCCI. Yet, it underscores a growing tension: how to protect star athletes while preserving the integrity and competitiveness of domestic cricket.

For Mumbai and Delhi, the message is clear: the future is now. Whether this absence sparks a youth revolution or exposes a leadership gap will unfold over the next few weeks. One thing’s certain—India’s 50-over ecosystem is at a crossroads.

Sources

• Times of India Live Blog: VHT Match Updates (Dec 29, 2025)
• BCCI Workload Management Guidelines 2024
• Mumbai Cricket Association: Squad Announcement for VHT 2025
• Delhi & District Cricket Association: Playing XI vs Saurashtra
• Interview with Saba Karim on Domestic Cricket Standards (ESPNCricinfo, Nov 2025)
• International Cricket Council (ICC): ODI Team Rankings & Player Eligibility Framework