 "Suspense continues over whether Rohit Sharma will play in Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai. Image: Reuters")
A senior Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) official has refuted the latest media reports that former India captain Rohit Sharma has made himself available for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy matches . It has been reported that Rohit Sharma has made himself available for the 24 December Vijay Hazare Trophy match and has communicated the same to MCA.
Reportedly, Rohit’s decision was influenced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) diktat to him and Virat Kohli that they would need to play in domestic cricket to stay in India’s ODI plans.
“The board and team management have conveyed to both of them that they will have to play domestic cricket if they want to play for India. As they both have retired from two formats, they have to play domestic cricket to be match-fit,” a BCCI source told The Indian Express.
No clarity on Rohit playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy
But an MCA official has refuted the report, which states that Rohit has informed the association about his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“There has been no communication as far as I am aware,” a senior MCA official told news agency PTI.
Between India’s ODI series against South Africa that will be played from 30 November to 6 December and the next home ODIs against New Zealand that start on 11 January, Mumbai will be playing seven Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, giving Rohit enough games to stay match-fit. Still, the latest revelation by the senior MCA official has raised a question mark on his participation.
The report in Express has also stated that Rohit wants to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament as well. The T20 tournament starts on 26 November. But it would be best to wait for an official confirmation.
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View AllWith Rohit retiring from Tests and T20Is, it’s understandable that the BCCI and Team India management want him to play in domestic cricket to remain match-fit. He is currently training at MCA’s Bandra Kurla Complex Ground to prepare for the South Africa ODI series.
The 38-year-old made his much-awaited return to international cricket in October in Australia. After getting out cheaply in the first ODI, he slammed 73 and 121 not out in the last two matches.