Fans were thrilled to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to domestic cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Both senior players scored big runs, but many supporters were disappointed as their matches were not telecast live.
Why the Matches Were Not Telecast
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained that the issue was not a lack of demand. He said limited infrastructure and early-stage planning challenges affected live coverage. Several matches were also played simultaneously at different venues.
Kohli and Rohit Shine on Return
Kohli played domestic 50 over cricket after almost 15 years and scored a brilliant 131 for Delhi. He also became the fastest player to complete 16,000 List A runs, adding another milestone to his career.
Rohit returned to domestic cricket for Mumbai after a long gap. He smashed 155 runs off 94 balls, which stands among his finest List A innings and impressed fans across the country.
BCCI Acknowledges Changing Fan Interest
Despite the buzz, their matches were not part of the live broadcast schedule. Saikia said only a limited number of games were planned for telecast due to multiple matches happening at the same time.
He admitted that fan interest has increased since senior India players began featuring regularly in domestic tournaments. Earlier, around 100 domestic matches were telecast each season without much public reaction.
Plans to Expand Domestic Coverage
“Earlier, no one asked why a domestic match was not shown. Now people want to watch these games,” Saikia told Sportstar. He confirmed that the BCCI is in talks with broadcasters to expand domestic match coverage.
Saikia also highlighted the benefits of senior players participating in domestic cricket. Young cricketers gain confidence and learn faster by sharing the dressing room with experienced players.
At the same time, senior players stay match-ready during breaks from international cricket. Saikia described this trend as a positive step for Indian cricket.
Kohli and Rohit made their presence felt with impactful performances. Their knocks brought renewed attention to the Vijay Hazare Trophy and reinforced the importance of domestic cricket.
