© hindustantimes.comWhy Rohit Sharma will miss Mumbai’s first two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy
Rohit Sharma, who won the Player of the Series award for his 200-run-plus haul in the series against Australia earlier this year, is all set to play in the upcoming Vijay HazareVijay HazareVijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai. However, he would be missing the opening two games against Sikkim and Uttarakhand. Not just Rohit, Yashavi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane will also be opening the first two matches, and Mumbai chief selector Sanjay Patil has finally revealed the reason behind it.
Rohit Sharma will miss Mumbai's first two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches. (AFP)
It is worth mentioning that the BCCI and the selection committee have already informed all centrally contracted players that they are required to play at least two rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Earlier, it was believed that only senior players Rohit and Virat Kohli would be issued a directive; however, the board cracked the whip for everyone.
The Indian team's next assignment is the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning January 11, while the Vijay Hazare Trophy begins December 24. Virat Kohli will be turning up for Delhi; however, it's not clear which matches he'll play exactly, while Rishabh Pant will be leading the team.