NEW DELHI: India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube have informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) of their availability for two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches scheduled on January 6 and 8.

Mumbai begin their 50-over campaign in Jaipur from December 24, with their opening league match against Sikkim.

Suryakumar and Dube are expected to feature in Mumbai’s fixtures against Himachal Pradesh on January 6 and Punjab two days later.

An MCA official confirmed that both players had communicated their availability and would be added to the squad for those matches. The official also said that Rohit Sharma, who is part of the squad, is currently slated to play two league games.

The move follows a directive from the BCCI asking players who were part of India’s recent 3-1 T20I series win over South Africa to participate in at least two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches. The board has reiterated its push for senior and contracted players to turn out regularly in domestic competitions when international commitments allow.

Earlier this year, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar underlined the importance of domestic cricket for international players, stressing that it helps them stay sharp during breaks from international action. He had said that whenever players are free, they should be playing domestic cricket, as it remains a vital pathway to maintaining form and match fitness.

The Indian T20I squad will have a break of nearly a month before regrouping in Nagpur for the first of five T20Is against New Zealand on January 21.

That series will be India’s final assignment before beginning their T20 World Cup title defence against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7.