Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube set to play two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Mumbai

Surya and Dube have confirmed their availability for the matches against Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on January 6 and 8, respectively.

“Surya and Dube have informed us that they will be playing two Vijay Hazare Trophy games on January 6th and 8th. Their names will be added in the Mumbai squad. As far as Rohit Sharma is concerned, he will be playing two league games at the moment,” a MCA official confirmed.

It is learnt that all T20I players who featured in the recent 3-1 series win over South Africa have been asked to play atleast two Vijay Hazare Trophy games. The BCCI has informed all contracted players about the same. A few months ago, Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the selection committee, had conveyed the need for players to turn out in domestic cricket whenever they were available.

“I think we made it clear a year or a couple of years back that whenever players are available, they should be playing domestic cricket. I mean, that’s the only way you’ll keep yourself sharp and playing cricket, if you’ve got a long enough break. Whether that’s possible with the international cricket you’re playing or not, that only time will tell, but if the guys are free, they should be playing domestic cricket,” he said.

The T20I side will get just less than a month’s break before they arrive in Nagpur to play New Zealand in the first of five T20Is on January 21. The series will be their last assignment before they begin their T20 World Cup title defence against the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 7.

Rohit Sharma to reach Jaipur on Monday.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, along with Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur are expected to reach Jaipur on Monday and will take part in Mumbai’s practice session on Tuesday. Mumbai will be playing their first two games against Sikkim on December 24 and Uttarakhand on December 26 in Jaipur.