Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have returned to domestic cricket, adding excitement to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier one-day tournament. While the competition doesn’t match the glamour of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the presence of these veteran stars has renewed fan interest in the domestic circuit. Both players, despite their superstar status, receive salaries far below their IPL earnings.
For the 2025-26 season, Vijay Hazare Trophy player salaries are structured according to experience in List A matches. Senior players with over 40 matches, like Kohli and Rohit, earn Rs 60,000 per match when in the playing XI. Reserve players in the same category get Rs 30,000 per game. Mid-level players with 21-40 matches earn Rs 50,000 as part of the playing XI and Rs 25,000 as reserves, while juniors with fewer than 20 matches get Rs 40,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively.
In addition to the fixed match fee, players can boost their earnings through daily allowances covering travel, food, and accommodation. Performance-based bonuses, such as Man of the Match awards, offer Rs 10,000 each, and teams progressing to knockout stages share prize money from a collective pool.
Despite earning Rs 60,000 per game in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kohli and Rohit’s income from ODIs remains much higher, at Rs 6 lakh per match. Their participation, however, emphasizes their commitment to domestic cricket and provides younger players a chance to learn from India’s most experienced white-ball stars.
This return not only strengthens their respective state teams Delhi for Kohli and Mumbai for Rohit but also highlights the tiered structure of domestic cricket earnings, ensuring fair compensation based on experience. With their presence, the Vijay Hazare Trophy promises a more competitive and high-profile season, bridging the gap between domestic cricket and international stardom.
