Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the limited telecast of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26 matches, particularly those featuring star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The domestic tournament commenced on December 24, 2025, with Kohli and Sharma making headline-grabbing returns for their respective state teams.
Both veterans marked their return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy with impressive centuries. Rohit Sharma slammed a sensational 155 off 94 balls for Mumbai against Sikkim, while Virat Kohli scored 131 off 101 balls for Delhi against Andhra Pradesh.
However, many fans were left disappointed as these matches, along with several others, were not televised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Ashwin addressed this issue on his YouTube channel, reflecting the sentiments of fans eager to watch Kohli and Sharma in action, especially considering their limited presence in international cricket, with both having stepped away from T20Is and Test cricket.
Ashwin humorously stated that "Only Elon Musk can telecast these matches on X. Everyone wants to follow Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli no doubt". He acknowledged the excitement surrounding these players and how their participation elevates the matches. He noted the impressive form of both players, with Rohit scoring 155 at a strike rate of 164.89 and Kohli contributing 131 at a strike rate of 129.70.
Despite understanding the fans' frustration, Ashwin defended the BCCI's decision, explaining the difficulties in making last-minute telecast arrangements due to the uncertainty surrounding the availability of top players like Kohli and Sharma. He clarified that decisions regarding televised matches are typically made in advance when the domestic calendar is set.
Ashwin also highlighted the logistical challenges of broadcasting all domestic matches, given the large number of first-class teams in India. He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for other players to showcase their talent. "I can understand the frustration. But there are limitations. It is easy to say that all matches should be televised. But you can't do that. I think India has the maximum first-class teams. You cannot televise all matches. And other players from other teams want to showcase talent and are equally important to the ecosystem. I think we cut some slack there," he stated.
Kohli and Rohit have confirmed their availability for the first two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Delhi will face Gujarat, while Mumbai will play against Uttarakhand on December 26. Rohit Sharma's next match is against Uttarakhand at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy is crucial for players like Rohit, Virat, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, and Shubman Gill to prepare for the upcoming New Zealand series.
