Why are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma not playing in Vijay Hazare Trophy 3rd round?

New Delhi: Fans eagerly anticipating to witness Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma work their magic in the Vijay Hazare Trophy were left disappointed after both superstars were not part of their respective state teams for the third round fixtures on Monday. Rohit and Virat have set the domestic stage on fire with their sensational performances in the first two rounds of India's premier domestic 50-over tournament.

Virat, especially, has been unstoppable with a century (133) and a fifty (77) in the opening two VHT 2025-26 matches.

Meanwhile, Rohit opened the campaign with a magnificent century (155) against Sikkim in Jaipur but fell for a golden duck against Uttarakhand in the next round. 

The third round fixtures pitted Mumbai against Saurashtra at the Karnataka Cricket Association (KSCA) Stadium in Alur and Mumbai against Chhattisgarh at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur. However, the absence of Indian superstars in the playing XIs left the fans distraught at both venues.

It is understood that both batters have been rested by their respective state teams for the third round matches, as they were originally scheduled to play only two games in the competition. With that commitment fulfilled, both seasoned campaigners are unlikely to play again in the ongoing edition of the domestic competition.

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The batting icons will now turn their focus on preparations for the ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11, and are expected to join the national camp soon. According to a report by Cricbuzz, there is a chance that Kohli might play one more match for Delhi.

The batting legend might turn up for Delhi's fixture against Railways on January 6. However, the report also claimed that Rohit is unlikely to play a further part in the competition for Mumbai.