Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are likely to feature in three or four matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before the New Zealand ODI series in January 2026, as long as they continue to target the 2027 World Cup. Both players are returning to international cricket for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, starting on October 19.

Following the South Africa ODIs and leading into the New Zealand series, Delhi and Mumbai will play six rounds in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The selectors expect both Rohit and Kohli to participate in these games.

India will take on South Africa in three home ODIs from November 30 to December 6. The Vijay Hazare Trophy will kick off on December 24, with India then hosting New Zealand for a three-match ODI series from January 11 to 18.

Ajit Agarkar, the selection chairman, has emphasized that all centrally contracted players who are fit and available are required to play in domestic cricket.

“The gap between the last ODI against South Africa on December 6 in Visakhapatnam and the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11 in Vadodara is five weeks .The Vijay Hazare Trophy kicks off on December 24, with Mumbai scheduled to play six rounds of matches on December 24, 26, 29, 31, January 3, 6, and 8. Rohit is expected to play at least three of these rounds before joining the squad, and the same applies to Virat,” a BCCI source informed PTI on the condition of anonymity.