The Vijay Hazare Trophy live matches kick off on Wednesday, December 24, bringing India’s top domestic 50-over cricket tournament back into focus. Moreover, this season carries extra excitement as several big names make their return to the competition.

Virat Kohli steps onto the Vijay Hazare stage for the first time in nearly 16 years. Similarly, Rohit Sharma returns after almost eight years away from the tournament. Both veterans recently showed excellent form against South Africa, consequently proving they remain crucial for India’s 2027 World Cup plans.

However, fans won’t get to watch matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Instead, organizers moved games to BCCI’s Centre of Excellence to prevent overcrowding after the recent stampede during RCB’s IPL celebration.

Key Players to Watch

Several Mumbai Indians stars will compete across different state teams:

Furthermore, Suryakumar Yadav desperately needs this tournament. His T20I form has collapsed over the past year with no half-centuries in 22 innings. Therefore, these matches give him a perfect chance to regain confidence before the New Zealand series on January 21.

Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, will play all seven group matches for Delhi. This extended run offers him an opportunity to force his way back into India’s limited-overs plans.

Tournament Format and Opportunities

The competition has proven extremely competitive recently. Indeed, five different teams have won the last five seasons. Karnataka, the defending champions, welcome back Karun Nair, who smashed an incredible 779 runs last season at an average of 389.5.

Additionally, strong performances here often lead to bigger opportunities. Last year, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy’s excellent bowling earned them national team recalls and eventually Champions Trophy spots.

All matches start at 9am to reduce dew impact. Consequently, winning the toss becomes crucial as fast bowlers will find helpful morning conditions.

Young talents like R Smaran and experienced players seeking IPL contracts will view this as their audition stage. Teams play across four venues: Bengaluru, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Ranchi.

As the Vijay Hazare trophy live action unfolds over the coming weeks, cricket fans can expect thrilling contests, career-defining performances, and perhaps the emergence of India’s next big stars. The tournament runs until mid-January, giving players ample time to stake their claims for higher honors.

Former Indian cricket star Yuvraj Singh finds himself in the news for two completely different reasons. Moreover, one story involves a misleading viral claim, while the other concerns a serious legal matter with the Enforcement Directorate.

The Bat Auction Claim: What’s True and What’s False

A viral social media post claims that Lalit Modi auctioned Yuvraj Singh’s bat-the one used to hit six sixes in an over during the 2007 T20 World Cup-for ₹7 crore. However, this claim is misleading.

What Actually Happened:

Furthermore, Modi confirmed in two recent podcasts-one with Raj Shamani (November 2024) and another with Stuart Clarke (August 2025)-that he still possesses the bat. Specifically, he mentioned that when Yuvraj asked for the Porsche, Modi requested the historic bat in exchange.

Additionally, no credible auction house or media organization has reported any such auction. Indeed, if a bat sold for ₹7 crore, it would have generated massive media coverage, especially since Shane Warne’s iconic cap sold for only ₹5.79 crore.

ED Takes Action: Assets Attached

Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh faces a more serious situation. On December 19, 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) provisionally attached assets worth ₹7.93 crore belonging to Yuvraj and several other celebrities.

Who Else Is Involved?

The ED action includes:

• Former cricketer Robin Uthappa
• Actors Sonu Sood, Neha Sharma, Ankush Hazra
• Model Urvashi Rautela and her mother
• Former MP Mimi Chakraborty

Why Did ED Take This Action?

The investigation centers on the illegal offshore betting platform 1xBet. Consequently, the ED alleges that these celebrities knowingly promoted the platform through surrogate brands like 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines.

Specifically, the agency discovered that:

1. Illegal Operations – 1xBet operated in India without authorization
2. Hidden Payments – Money came through foreign entities to hide illegal origins
3. Surrogate Marketing – The platform used fake brands to target Indian users
4. Layered Transactions – Payments went through multiple foreign intermediaries

Previously, in October 2025, the ED also attached ₹11.14 crore worth of assets belonging to cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in the same case.

Important Warning

The ED cautioned celebrities and influencers against promoting illegal betting platforms. Similarly, they advised the public to avoid such platforms and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

Therefore, Yuvraj Singh now faces scrutiny over his alleged endorsement activities, while simultaneously dealing with false viral claims about his cricket memorabilia. These parallel situations highlight how celebrities must carefully manage both their public image and business associations in today’s digital age.

Bengal fast bowler Mukesh Kumar targets a strong comeback to Indian cricket after recovering from the biggest injury of his career. Moreover, the 32-year-old pacer from Gopalganj plans to learn from Australian star Mitchell Starc about maintaining mental strength following injury setbacks.

The Injury That Changed Everything

Mukesh made history in 2023 by debuting for India in all three formats within just 14 days during the West Indies series. However, a calf injury in August 2025 derailed his promising career trajectory. Consequently, he spent months at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for rehabilitation.

“I got injured in August and returned at the end of November. I have never had such a big injury in my career before,” Mukesh revealed. Furthermore, he received encouragement from captain Rohit Sharma during his recovery period.

Recovery Plan and New Skills

Additionally, Mukesh found the mental aspect particularly challenging. “Watching matches on TV was frustrating. I wanted to get back quickly,” he admitted. Therefore, yoga helped him understand that ups and downs are natural in life.

Starc Connection: IPL 2026 Plans

During IPL 2025, Mukesh discussed fitness with Mitchell Starc at Delhi Capitals. Now, he looks forward to deeper conversations. “When we meet this time, I will ask for advice on recovering from injury. I have not been out for so long due to injury before,” Mukesh explained.

Interestingly, he observed Starc’s disciplined training methods and pre-match preparation routines. Consequently, Mukesh wants to learn specifically about staying mentally strong after injury-something Starc has successfully managed throughout his career.

Competition at Delhi Capitals

This season, Delhi Capitals features Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Kyle Jamieson, and Auqib Dar (bought for ₹8.40 crore). However, Mukesh embraces the challenge positively.

“Having many good cricketers is important for the team. Healthy competition helps cricketers improve,” he said. Instead of worrying about selection, he focuses on staying ready for any responsibility.

Vijay Hazare Trophy Focus

Meanwhile, Mukesh concentrates on immediate goals-performing well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy starting December 24. Although his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy performance disappointed him, he feels much better prepared now.

Bengal’s bowling attack looks formidable with Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep. “Our bowling unit is strong,” Mukesh confidently stated. Moreover, he views bowling alongside Shami as a valuable learning experience.

Road to Team India

Despite setbacks, Mukesh remains confident about returning to the national team. “There are Test matches, the ODI World Cup is ahead. I am working with the aim of getting a place there,” he affirmed.

Importantly, he’s taking small steps rather than thinking too far ahead. His immediate priority involves regaining rhythm through domestic cricket. Subsequently, strong performances should bring him back into national selectors’ consideration.

Mukesh Kumar feels mentally stronger after this experience. Furthermore, his diversified bowling skills-especially the developing knuckle-ball-could make him more effective when he returns to the highest level of cricket.