5 Team India superstars who are confirmed to play the initial rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 ft. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

Star India cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are among the big names set to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26. The premier domestic 50-over tournament of the country will begin on Wednesday, December 24.

A few big names are confirmed to play in the initial rounds of the tournament. It will feature 32 teams divided into four groups of eight teams each (Elite) and a Plate group of six teams. The Indian team will next play a limited-overs series against New Zealand at home in January 2026. Therefore, the VHT 2025-26 will feature some of the top names like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the country, at least in the initial rounds.

The final of the domestic tournament will be played on Sunday, January 18. As per the BCCI mandate, Indian players are expected to play domestic cricket when not on national duty, subject to fitness and availability.

On that note, here are the five Team India superstars who will feature in the initial rounds of the VHT 2025-26.

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#5 Arshdeep Singh

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been named in Punjab's squad for the VHT 2025-26. He was the highest wicket-taker in the 2024-25 edition with 20 scalps from seven matches at an average of 18.25 and an economy of 5.62. Arshdeep was also part of India's recent ODI and T20I series against South Africa at home.

He bagged five wickets from three ODIs and five wickets from four T20Is. Along with Arshdeep, Punjab's squad also features two other Team India superstars. Opener Abhishek Sharma, along with Shubman Gill, who was dropped from the T20 World Cup squad, have also been included.

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#4 KL Rahul

Star batter KL Rahul, who recently led India to a 2-1 victory in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, has been named in Karnataka's squad for the VHT 2025-26. In the three matches, he scored 126 runs from two innings at a strike rate of 127.27 with two half-centuries.

Rahul made his List-A debut for Karnataka in 2010. He has played 143 games and has scored 5228 runs at an average of 46.67 with 11 hundreds and 33 half-centuries. Rahul did not feature in the 2024-25 edition of the VHT.

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#3 Rishabh Pant

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named in Delhi's squad. Moreover, he is also the captain of the team. The left-hander last played in the Test series against South Africa and did not feature in the limited-overs series. Pant was in the ODI squad but did not get any opportunity in any of the three matches.

Pant made his List-A debut for Delhi against Jharkhand in 2015. The southpaw has played 67 games and has scored 1789 runs at an average of 31.94 with two hundreds and 11 half-centuries. Pant will be hoping to do well as captain and have a successful tournament.

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#2 Rohit Sharma

Team India veteran Rohit Sharma has been named in Mumbai's squad and will feature in the domestic tournament. Rohit displayed fine form in the South Africa ODIs. He scored 146 runs from three matches at an average of 48.66 and a strike rate of 110.60 with two half-centuries.

Rohit has played 350 List-A games, amassing 13758 runs at an average of 46.95 with 36 hundreds and 74 half-centuries. He will head into the VHT 2025-26 on the back of a successful series against South Africa. His form and presence will certainly benefit Mumbai.

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#1 Virat Kohli

Another Team India veteran, Virat Kohli, has also confirmed his availability to play for Delhi in the VHT 2025-26. He has been named in the squad and will play under Pant. Virat Kohli was in scintillating form in the South Africa ODIs.

He smashed 302 runs from three games at an average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05 with two back-to-back hundreds and a half-century. Virat Kohli's participation and solid form will be a massive boost for Delhi.

Overall, Virat Kohli has played 342 List-A games, scoring 15999 runs at an average of 57.34 with 57 hundreds and 84 half-centuries. He will be eager to carry his form into the VHT as well.

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Edited by Rishab Vm