In a significant boost to their domestic campaign, the Punjab cricket team has announced a star-studded squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's premier domestic 50-over competition. The squad features the high-profile names of Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh, all of whom are key members of the Indian national team across formats.
National Stars Answer BCCI's Domestic Call
The inclusion of these top-tier players comes as a direct result of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s mandate, which requires contracted players to participate in the National One-Day Championship when there are no international commitments. India's ODI captain, Shubman Gill, along with T20 World Cup-bound all-rounder Abhishek Sharma and pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh, have been named in the roster released on Monday.
However, their availability will be limited due to the impending white-ball series against New Zealand. The tour begins with three ODIs starting January 11, followed by five T20Is from January 21. Consequently, Gill and Arshdeep Singh are likely to be available for only two to three matches for Punjab. Abhishek Sharma, primarily a T20I regular, could feature in more games as the T20I leg starts three days after the Vijay Hazare Trophy concludes on January 18.
Punjab's Campaign and Fixtures
Punjab finds itself in a competitive Group A, sharing the pool with heavyweights like Mumbai, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Chhattisgarh, and Sikkim. The team will kick off its campaign with a match against Maharashtra on December 24, followed by a clash against Chhattisgarh on December 26. The group stage matches promise high-intensity cricket as teams vie for knockout berths.
This trend of national stars returning to domestic cricket is not limited to Punjab. In a parallel development, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube have confirmed their participation for Mumbai. They are set to play two crucial group stage matches against Himachal Pradesh on January 6 and Punjab on January 8, respectively. Mumbai's campaign begins against Sikkim on December 24 in Jaipur.
Kohli and Rohit Also Set for Early Rounds
The tournament is witnessing an unprecedented influx of Indian cricket icons. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are also slated to feature in the early rounds for Delhi and Mumbai, respectively. The Delhi squad for its initial matches boasts a strong lineup including wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as captain, with fast bowlers Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, and Harshit Rana adding firepower.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, along with Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur, is expected to join the team's preparations in Jaipur. Their participation underscores the importance the senior players are placing on domestic cricket, setting a powerful example for the next generation.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy, with this infusion of international talent, is poised for a thrilling season, offering fans a rare glimpse of their favourite stars in action at the domestic level and providing intense competition ahead of a busy international calendar for Team India.
