Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26: How to Follow Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Return to Domestic Cricket
Indian cricket fans are in for a nostalgic yet exciting moment as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to domestic cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 season. Two of India’s biggest modern-day legends will once again don their state colours—Kohli for Delhi and Rohit for Mumbai—bringing renewed attention and excitement to India’s premier domestic one-day tournament.
Their return has naturally sparked huge interest among fans, many of whom are eager to know how and where they can watch these matches live.
Kohli and Rohit Back in Action for Their States
Virat Kohli will represent Delhi, while Rohit Sharma will turn out for Mumbai. Both teams are scheduled to play their opening matches on Wednesday, December 24, making it a special day for domestic cricket followers.
Delhi are set to face Andhra, while Mumbai will take on Sikkim in their first fixture. Rohit’s Mumbai side will later square off against Uttarakhand as well, continuing their group-stage campaign in Jaipur.
For Kohli and Rohit, this tournament is more than just a domestic assignment. With India’s ODI calendar leading up to the 2027 World Cup already taking shape, these matches offer crucial game time, rhythm, and competitive intensity outside the international spotlight.
Venue Changes and Closed-Door Matches
Originally, Delhi’s match against Andhra was scheduled to be held at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which would have marked an emotional return for Kohli at one of his most familiar grounds. However, due to security concerns, the state government decided at the last minute to shift the match to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) on the outskirts of the city.
The fixture will now be played behind closed doors, with no spectators allowed inside the venue. This decision, though disappointing for fans, was taken to ensure safety and smooth conduct of the game.
Meanwhile, Mumbai’s matches—including the one featuring Rohit Sharma—will be played in Jaipur, where conditions are expected to test batters and bowlers alike.
Match Timings and Schedule
Both the Delhi vs Andhra and Mumbai vs Sikkim matches will begin at 9:00 AM IST on December 24. With two heavyweight names returning to domestic cricket on the same day, the morning promises plenty of excitement—even if fans can’t watch it live on screen.
No Live Telecast or Streaming: What Fans Should Know
Despite JioStar being the official broadcaster for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 season, there is no live TV telecast or live streaming available for the matches featuring Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
- ❌ No live telecast on television
- ❌ No live streaming on JioStar
- ❌ No official digital broadcast
This has come as a disappointment for many fans who were hoping to watch the two stars in action after a long gap in domestic cricket.
How Can Fans Follow the Matches?
Although live visuals won’t be available, fans can still stay updated through:
- Live scorecards and ball-by-ball commentary on sports websites and apps
- Text updates and match reports from cricket news portals
- Social media updates from teams, journalists, and cricket platforms
For many fans, even tracking Kohli’s and Rohit’s scores through live updates will be enough to relive the feeling of seeing them back in domestic colours.
Why This Return Matters
Kohli and Rohit last played the Vijay Hazare Trophy many years ago, at a very different stage of their careers. Today, both are senior figures in Indian cricket, retired from multiple formats and focused primarily on ODIs.
Their decision to play domestic cricket sends a strong message—not just about preparation for international cricket, but also about the importance of India’s domestic structure. It also gives younger players a rare opportunity to share the dressing room with legends and learn from them firsthand.
Final Thoughts
Even without live streaming or TV coverage, the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has already added significant buzz to the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Fans may not be able to watch every shot live, but the excitement around their performances will travel fast—through score updates, highlights, and post-match discussions.