EXPLAINED: Why Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 games won’t be telecast live

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Domestic cricket in India is set for an electric spark as icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy this Wednesday. For Kohli, this marks a homecoming to the 50-over domestic format after a staggering 15-year hiatus, while Rohit returns to represent Mumbai for the first time since 2018.

Their participation, alongside stars like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, has turned this edition into a high-stakes dress rehearsal for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. However, despite the massive star power, millions of fans across the country are facing a significant blackout as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) navigates a complex logistical and broadcasting landscape.

As per NDTV Sports report, The primary reason fans will not see Kohli and Rohit on their screens is a simple matter of infrastructure. On the opening day of the tournament, all 38 teams are in action simultaneously across 19 different matches. The BCCI traditionally only provides full broadcasting and streaming setups for a select few games due to the immense cost and technical requirements of multi-camera coverage. For the 2025–26 season, high-definition broadcast facilities have only been established at two primary hubs: the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.

Since Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai is playing in Jaipur and Kohli’s Delhi has been moved to a facility in Bengaluru that lacks broadcasting infrastructure, neither match falls within the current televised window. While some reports initially suggested Star Sports and JioHotstar would carry the tournament, they will only be showing the matches held at the two designated broadcast venues.

🚨 No Live Telecast of Rohit & Virat in VHT 🚨

– No broadcast of Rohit Sharma’s match (Jaipur)– No broadcast of Virat Kohli’s match (CoE)– Only two Vijay Hazare Trophy games will be streamed– Telecast available on Hotstar & Star Sports– Venues being covered: NMS Ground &…

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) December 23, 2025

Also READ: Rishabh Pant to captain Delhi as Virat Kohli makes historic Vijay Hazare Trophy return; squad announced for first two games

While Rohit Sharma fans in Jaipur still have the chance to watch their captain from the stands, the situation in Bengaluru has taken a far more restrictive turn for Virat Kohli. Just 24 hours before the opening match, the Karnataka government and local police denied permission for the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium to host Delhi’s fixtures. The match has been shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) on the outskirts of the city, and in a crushing blow to local fans, it will be played behind closed doors

As per Times of India, The decision stems from a combination of factors:

However, there is still a glimmer of hope for a digital broadcast. Earlier this year, a Ranji Trophy match involving Delhi was not originally scheduled for streaming, but the BCCI reversed its decision at the eleventh hour following immense public demand to see Kohli in action. However, as it stands, the lack of fixed broadcast equipment at the CoE in Bengaluru and the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur remains the definitive hurdle. For now, Kohli and the Rohit will be performing their domestic duties largely out of the public eye.

Also READ: Mumbai announces squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma makes historic return