The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a set of fresh regulations for the upcoming 2025-26 domestic cricket season. As the Duleep Trophy starts the season on August 28, it also represents the beginning of the season's new operations with the governing body. The governing body anticipates improving competitive balance, uniformity with match formats, enhanced domestic standards, and the ability of players to adapt to changing demands created by modern-day cricket in the proposed reforms.

BCCI has prioritized improving the domestic structure's administrative efficiency while ensuring operations are in line with international regulations. These changes are likely to bring a professional face to domestic cricket in India, with batting and bowling challenges that are closer to what players may experience when representing their country. The 2025-26 season is when the rules will become visible through the Duleep Trophy, thereby ensuring the interest of players, selectors, and fans alike as it represents the first competition with the new operation modifications.

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Fielding captain to decide in case of short runs

As per the new BCCI regulation for domestic cricket, if a batter deliberately takes a short run, the fielding captain will now have the authority to decide which batter faces the next delivery. This marks a change from the earlier rule, where the batting side would automatically be penalized with five runs for such an act. However, if a batter simply aborts a run attempt midway without the intention of gaining an unfair advantage, no penalty or action will be enforced under the updated law.

“A deliberate short run is an attempt for batters to appear to run more than one run, while at least one batter deliberately does not make good their ground at one end. Batters may choose to abort a run, provided the umpire believes that there was no intention by the batter concerned to deceive the umpires or to score the run in which they didn’t make their ground,” the new rule said.

Single ball rule to apply after 34th over in Vijay Hazare Trophy

The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced its decision to phase out the use of two new balls in One Day Internationals (ODIs) to revive the art of reverse swing. Following this move, the BCCI has also implemented the same change in India’s premier domestic 50-over competition, the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Under the revised rule, teams will now continue with only a single ball once the innings crosses the 34th over, aiming to restore balance between bat and ball while encouraging bowlers to use reverse swing effectively.

“Each fielding team shall have two new balls for its innings to be used in alternate overs, i.e. one from each end for overs 1 to 34. At the end of over 34, the fielding team will choose one of the two balls from the innings to be used for all the remaining overs of the innings. The other ball will be added to the stock of replacement balls for the innings,” the law stated.

Substitutions allowed in case of serious injuries

During the fourth England vs India Test 2025 in Manchester, Rishabh Pant bravely batted with a broken toe, while England’s Chris Woakes came out with a dislocated shoulder. These events have sparked across the globe debates, with several former players as well as commentators requesting for an official injury replacement rule. However, some, including England captain Ben Stokes, opposed its introduction. Despite differing opinions, the BCCI has decided to implement an injury replacement law in India’s upcoming domestic multi-day tournaments, ensuring teams have fair options when players suffer serious on-field injuries.

“If a player sustains a serious injury during the course of the relevant match, a Serious Injury Replacement may be permitted in the following circumstances. The serious injury must have been sustained during play and within the playing area described in clause,” read the new playing conditions.

Rohit Sharma could soon be back in domestic cricket, with reports suggesting the India ODI captain may turn out for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scheduled to start on December 24. The development comes amid murmurs about his and Virat Kohli’s future in the 50-over format, with the 2027 ODI World Cup four years away.

The BCCI, keen to keep senior players match-ready, is reportedly considering asking both stalwarts to feature in the premier domestic List-A competition. The logic is simple: consistent game time at all levels will help assess whether the veterans still have the form and fitness to remain part of India’s long-term ODI plans.

For Rohit, this could be a significant return. The last time he played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was in October 2018, when Mumbai won the tournament. He featured in two knockout matches that season, remaining unbeaten on 33 in the quarter-final against Bihar and scoring 17 in the semi-final against Hyderabad. He missed the final due to national duty, as India faced the West Indies in an ODI the very next day.

Kohli’s Vijay Hazare absence has been even longer; he last played for Delhi in February 2010, scoring 16 against Services. Should the selectors insist on their participation in 2025-26, it would mark a rare domestic one-day appearance for both.

ALSO SEE: From the archive: Full scorecard of Virat Kohli's last domestic List A match

Domestic Return Hinges on Form and 2027 World Cup Plans

India’s schedule complicates matters. After ODIs against Australia in October and South Africa in late November-early December, the Vijay Hazare Trophy will slot in before the New Zealand ODI series starting January 11. Realistically, if Rohit and Kohli are selected for that series, their availability for most VHT games will be minimal.

At this stage, the prospect of seeing the two legends play in the competition depends on two factors: their ODI form in the upcoming six matches before the VHT, and the selectors’ vision for the 2027 World Cup. If they fire against Australia and South Africa, the domestic outing may become unnecessary. But if it runs dry, the VHT could become their proving ground.

For now, Mumbai fans can only hope the possibility turns into reality, a chance to see Rohit Sharma don the Mumbai colours in the Vijay Hazare Trophy once again.

A cloud of uncertainty piled over Virat Kohli's international career. After walking off from T20Is and Tests, the batting maestro is now only available for One Day International matches.

According to a previously published media report, it is said that the batter can feature in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT 2025) to prolong his cricket career. Though the official confirmation is yet to come about the matter. Over a decade ago, Virat Kohli played his last Vijay Hazare Trophy match, which was in February 2010. It was a North Zone match at Gurgaon between Delhi and Services.

Virat Kohli played an important part in that game for Delhi. Delhi with precision outplayed their opponent as they registered a massive total of 311/6 batting first. Virat, too, came to bat in the middle. The right-handed batsman scored a quickfire 16 off 8 balls as a number 5 batsman for Delhi. He even rounded his arms for an over to concede only 5 runs, and Delhi eventually won the contest. Virat Kohli had featured in five matches and scored 229 runs at an average of 45.80 with two half-centuries.

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Virat Kohli's ODI stats in brief 

The upcoming edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled to start on December 24, 2025, and will be concluded with the final match on January 18, 2026. Virat Kohli last played his white ball game for Team India during the 2025 Champions Trophy, where the men in the Blue Brigade emerged as the champion. So far, in his overall ODI career, the Delhi-born claimed 14181 runs from 302 games at an average of 57.88 with 51 hundreds and 74 half-centuries.

It will be interesting to see whether Virat makes himself available for the VHT 2025-26, as the schedule of the tournament is overlapping with multiple international fixtures. 

Mumbai opener Prithvi Shaw is ready to turn a new page in his domestic career after the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) granted him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to represent another state as a professional. Shaw, who has been part of Mumbai cricket since his teenage years, made a formal request to the MCA for the NOC, which the association confirmed on Monday.

In a statement, MCA secretary Abhay Hadap praised Shaw’s contribution to Mumbai cricket and said the association respects his decision to move on. “Prithvi Shaw has been an exceptional talent and has contributed significantly to Mumbai cricket. We respect his decision and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” Hadap said.

Shaw’s decision comes after a rough patch with the Mumbai team. Last season, he was dropped from a Ranji Trophy match because of fitness concerns — reports indicated that his body fat percentage was as high as 35 percent. Despite being given a two-week fitness plan by MCA trainers, Shaw struggled to meet the expected standards. This led to him missing out on the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad too.
  

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Shaw Eyes Revival with New State Team

In an email to the MCA, Shaw thanked the association for backing him throughout his career, calling it an honour to represent Mumbai. He said the chance to play for another state would help him grow as a player and allow him to focus on his game with a fresh mindset. He also reassured the MCA that this decision was made after a lot of thought and with full respect for the association.

While Shaw hasn’t played List A cricket in India since the 2022 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he did have a good stint in England’s One Day Cup with Northamptonshire, scoring 97 and 72 in two of his last five innings. Despite setbacks, he remains determined to prove himself.Last year, Mumbai captain Shreyas Iyer commented on Shaw’s situation, saying, “We can’t babysit anyone. He has to figure things out for himself.” With a new state team waiting, Shaw will hope this fresh start brings him back into top form.

Karnataka vs Vidarbha: Key Details for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 Final

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 has reached its finishing stage after an exciting series of matches. The much anticipated final will see Karnataka face Vidarbha in a battle for the title. Here's everything you need to know about the big match, including the schedule, venue, and live streaming details.

In their semi-final clash, Vidarbha delivered a dominant performance against Maharashtra. Karun Nair was the star of the match, smashing an incredible 88 runs off just 44 balls, featuring 9 fours and 5 sixes. His explosive innings helped Vidarbha post a massive total of 380 runs. Maharashtra, in response, managed only 311 runs, falling short of the target. Nair's outstanding form in the tournament has been a game-changer for Vidarbha, with 752 runs to his name so far, making him one of the key reasons for the team’s success.

Karnataka, on the other hand, secured their spot in the final with an impressive victory over Haryana. This marks Karnataka’s fifth appearance in a Vijay Hazare Trophy final, showcasing their consistent performance throughout the tournament.  

ALSO READ: Dinesh Karthik reasons why in-form Karun Nair can't be added to Indian ODI team

VHT Final Match Details:

When and Where to Watch KAR vs VID:

Reliance Stadium Pitch Report:

Official Umpires for Match:

KAR vs VID Squads:

The Indian cricket team is a little slow in telling everyone who's going to play in the ICC Champions Trophy. They've asked for more time to decide because they want to wait until after the Vijay Hazare Trophy final is over. Recently, half of the teams out of the 12 that are joining the tournament have shared their member lists, but India and Pakistan haven't talked about it. Teams had until January 12 to say who's going to play, but it looks like India could tell who is playing a bit after that, if something surprising occurs.

The BCCI selection committee is scheduled to meet on January 19, the day following the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, to discuss the squad. It is expected that the squad will be announced on the same day. The selectors have chosen to wait until the tournament concludes to select the strongest possible 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy.

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Team India's likely squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 :

Rohit Sharma (C)
Virat Kohli
Shubman Gill
Yashshvi Jaiswal
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul
Rishabh Pant (WK)
Hardik Pandya (WK)
Ravindra Jadeja
Axar Patel
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
Mohammad Siraj
Mohammad Shami
Arshdeep… pic.twitter.com/hOMoF9emWC

— Akshay Tadvi 🇮🇳 (@AkshayTadvi28) January 7, 2025

India Delays Squad Announcement to Ensure the Best Selection

Because Team India didn't do well in the ODI World Cup, they really want to use their top players for the next ICC Champions Trophy. The people choosing the team at BCCI have pushed back when they'll say who's on the team until after the Vijay Hazare Trophy is over.

Rohit Sharma, India’s current captain, is expected to lead the team and could have the opportunity to win his final ICC trophy for India. In 2023, India reached the World Cup final but was defeated by Australia in Ahmedabad. Despite some inconsistent performances, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are likely to be included in the squad for the Champions Trophy. However, there are concerns over the fitness of two key bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who suffered a back injury during the 5th Test against Australia in Sydney, and Kuldeep, who is dealing with a groin issue, may not be fully fit in time for the tournament, leaving their availability uncertain.

Karun Nair's Resurgence: A Remarkable Return to Form and Selectors' Spotlight

Karun Nair's Remarkable Resurgence

Karun Nair is performing well in local cricket games, and now the people choosing players for the national team are really thinking scrupulously about him. It's very appropriate, especially when you ponder regarding how Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli aren't doing their best in test matches these days and India is trying to find its way.

After being left out and going through times when nobody knew what would happen with his career, Nair's comeback has everyone excited about the chance he might get called back to play for the country again.

The Emotional Tweet and Journey Back

In December 2022, Nair was extremely unhappy and went on Twitter to ask for another shot at cricket, because the team had dropped him even though he scored 300 runs in a single game in 2016 against England. For the months that followed, he was fully committed, working utterly hard or diligently at Just Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

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He was mainly trying to raise his game and focus his mind for batting, especially since he wasn't getting to play any matches.

Karun Nair - The fighter!🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/OPDFiMdnTi

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) January 12, 2025

Dominating the Vijay Hazare Trophy

In the current Vijay Hazare Trophy, Nair is doing a great job by scoring unbeaten runs everywhere. He's put up some anomalous numbers, including hitting five centuries in a row, which is extremely unusual for List A cricket. His scores have been 112, 44, 163, 111, 112, and 122. He's scored an amazing 664 runs without getting out even once, setting records for the most runs in List A cricket without being dismissed.

Nair's been playing really well and the selectors have noticed, especially now when India's cricket team is having some new things happen. With the team's major names, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, under a lot of pressure, there's a lot of discussion about Nair possibly getting picked for the Champions Trophy, or maybe even the Test tour of England in 2025.

Path to Vidarbha and Opportunities for Revival

Abey Kuruvilla, who once played for India, came in during a shaky time and gave Nair a spot on Vidarbha's team for him to prove his skills again. With some solid performances in the Ranji Trophy and an impressive season at Northamptonshire in county cricket, it's clear Nair is very fit.

Nair's determination to rebuild his career after years of struggles illustrates his resilience. His ability to overcome setbacks and stay focused on improving his game has earned him recognition, potentially setting him up for a long-awaited return to the Indian team. As selectors look for fresh talent, Nair’s journey could inspire many others facing similar challenges in their cricketing careers.

Karun Nair Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

Karun Nair Hits Fourth Consecutive Century, Leads Vidarbha to Vijay Hazare Trophy Semi-Finals

Karun Nair really demonstrated his skills in the Vijay Hazare Trophy by hitting his fourth century in a row, which helped Vidarbha win comfortably against Rajasthan by nine wickets, during the quarter-finals. This amazing performance took place at the Motibaug Cricket Ground in Vadodara. By doing this, Nair made it into the record books. Mr. Nair is now only the third player from India and the fifth in the world to achieve four consecutive centuries in List A cricket.

A Historic Innings

Vidarbha was trying to reach a very big goal of 292 runs that Rajasthan had put up. Their game started nicely with Yash Rathod and Dhruv Shorey working together right at the start. They obtained a strong partnership of 92 runs. When Rathod got out, Nair came in to bat at the third spot and started doing a great job right from the start. Shorey, who also contributed a hundred in 114 balls, was very helpful--but it was Nair who really held the innings together. Nair reached his century in just 77 balls, striking 11 boundaries and clearing the ropes three times. His blistering knock culminated in an explosive finish as he hammered 24 runs off just five deliveries against Khaleel Ahmed, including three fours and two towering sixes. Vidarbha completed the chase in just 43.3 overs, securing their place in the semi-finals with a commanding performance.

An Unstoppable Force

An Unstoppable For After Yash Rathod got out, Nair came in to bat at third position and began scoring runs immediately. Vidarbha was trying to reach a tough total of 292 runs that Rajasthan had put up. With Dhruv Shorey at his side, who knocked a hundred off 114 balls, Nair really led the team's effort to chase down the score. At the beginning, the team did well at first because Rathod and Shorey made a strong 92-run stand together. Chattisgarh, helping Vidarbha dominate their Group D fixtures and advance to the knockouts with an unblemished record.

Notably, Nair broke a world record during the league stage, achieving the highest aggregate runs in List A cricket without being dismissed. His consistent contributions have been instrumental in Vidarbha’s campaign, earning him widespread acclaim as one of the tournament’s standout performers.

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- 112*(108).
- 44*(52).
- 163*(107).
- 111*(103).
- 112(101).
- 122*(82) in Quarterfinal.

Captain Karun Nair has 664 Average in this Vijay Hazare Trophy & taking his team in Semifinal - KARUN NAIR, 2.0..!!!! 🥶🫡 pic.twitter.com/hdxcC7eNG1

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 12, 2025

Most consecutive List-A centuries

Joining the Elite Club

Nair hit four centuries in a row and has now become part of a very unique group of cricket players who've done the same thing in List A cricket. Before him, in India, the only ones to accomplish this were Devdutt Padikkal during the 2020-21 season and Narayan Jagadeesan in the 2022-23 season. And when it comes to scoring five centuries in one Vijay Hazare Trophy season, Jagadeesan is still the best by himself.

Also scoring four straight centuries in List A matches--but not in India, were Kumar Sangakkara from Sri Lanka and Alviro Petersen from South Africa.

With Vidarbha now in the semi-finals, Nair’s form will be pivotal as they aim to lift the coveted Vijay Hazare Trophy. His extraordinary achievements have already cemented his place as one of the premier batsmen in domestic cricket this season. Fans and teammates alike will be hoping that Nair’s purple patch continues, propelling Vidarbha to ultimate glory.

As Vidarbha’s captain and talisman, Nair’s performances have transcended the boundaries of individual excellence, serving as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers and a testament to the power of determination and skill. The cricketing world watches eagerly to see what the next chapter holds in his remarkable journey.

Padikkal Shines in Vijay Hazare Trophy with a Stunning Century

After not doing too well in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Devdutt Padikkal really showed what he's capable of in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Mr. Padikkal scored a fantastic century in the quarter-final against Baroda, marking a great comeback in domestic cricket. Starting the game with Mayank Agarwal for Karnataka, who was out of the game quickly scoring only six runs, Padikkal stepped up and led the charge in the match.

He formed a crucial partnership of 133 runs with Anis KV, who contributed 52 runs. Padikkal reached his century in 96 balls, finishing with a total of 102 runs off 99 deliveries, which included two sixes and 15 fours. His strike rate of 103.03 helped Karnataka set a solid foundation, and his performance was a highlight of the match.

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Padikkal's Consistency and Rise in List A Cricket

Padikkal just hit his ninth century in List A cricket and now he's obtained a total of 1,977 runs, averaging over 81. That's really wonderful. In 30 List A innings, he's managed to score 50 runs or more 20 times, showing he is a very trustworthy first position hitter. Even though he didn't do great in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his amazing plays in the Vijay Hazare Trophy show he's ready to take on more challenges.

With how well he has been performing in the domestic games, it looks like Padikkal's going to get some wonderful chances in Indian cricket soon.

🚨 HUNDRED BY DEVDUTT PADIKKAL IN THE QUARTER FINALS OF VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/oRFuzcxwCz

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 11, 2025

Conclusion: A Promising Future Ahead for Padikkal

After having a rough time in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Devdutt Padikkal turned things around with an amazing hundred in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This not only got him in form but also showed everyone he's really one of the brightest young stars India cricket might have. Mr. Padikkal did great against Baroda, showing he can do well again after a problem.

Padikkal's obtained an amazing List A record too, with a large amount of hundreds and a great batting average, making it clear he's quickly turning into a person who will help Indian cricket be great in the future. If he keeps going like this, he will surely get more opportunities to play in other countries, so we should all watch him closely to see what happens next.

Devdutt Padikkal Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

What a Spell by Arshdeep Singh!

Arshdeep Dazzles in Vijay Hazare Trophy Quarter-Final

Arshdeep Singh, the fast bowler from Punjab, performed well at the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final last Saturday on January 11. By demonstrating his great ability to swing and seam the ball right in the beginning against Maharashtra, he really made everyone think he should be picked for India's Champions Trophy team.

Early Breakthroughs with Swing and Precision

Arshdeep performed well when he got the new ball, showing everyone how he can make it swing in both directions. He mastered it by clean-bowling Ruturaj Gaikwad and then was imbued with a high level of pride about how he got Siddesh Veer out. First, he kept throwing outswingers at Veer, then suddenly, he made one ball swing in and instantly, Veer edged it and had to leave. He completely spoiled Maharashtra's top batters.

Impressive Figures and a Terrific Spell

Arshdeep's been doing very well in domestic cricket because he's always the same and proficient at controlling the game. In just seven matches during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he has caught 19 wickets! That is even better than Varun Chakravarthy's record for the season. In addition, his start was amazing, catching 5 wickets and only giving up 21 runs in his first spell. And in his last couple of games, against Hyderabad and Puducherry, he took down four wickets each time.

Everybody's talking about how great Arshdeep would be for India's ODI and Test teams, not only his fans but even the experts. He's already doing great in T20I cricket, but what really shows he's ready for everything is how well he's playing in both domestic and county cricket. Because he's always doing a great job, people really think he should be picked for the Champions Trophy team.

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WHAT A SPELL BY ARSHDEEP SINGH 🥶

- Arshdeep gets Ruturaj in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Quarters.

Arshdeep is making a big case for Champions Trophy squad ⚡ pic.twitter.com/4R8DXPQvqF

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2025

Maharashtra’s Recovery After Arshdeep’s Magic

Arshdeep Singh knows how to remain calm and do very well when it matters the most, proving he could be of significant consequence in cricket for India in all the different game types. Even though Arshdeep knocked out some early players, Arshin Kulkarni and Ankit Bawne didn't let that rattle them. They stuck there and built a strong stand for Maharashtra.

This man, Arshdeep, with his killer combo of swerving the ball, pinpoint aim, and calm demeanor, is definitely someone to watch closely as he climbs the ranks in cricket, both in India and around the globe. At the moment, Ruturaj Gaikwad's peer group is making things better, with the scoreboard reading 139/2 after 31.3 overs.

Arshdeep Singh Career Stats

Bowling