The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024 served up a classic tale of two contrasting innings from India's ODI icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, on Friday. While one champion stamped his authority with a commanding knock, the other endured a rare and shocking early dismissal, highlighting the unpredictable nature of cricket.
Rohit Sharma's Stunning Golden Duck
Mumbai's campaign hit an early snag as their skipper, Rohit Sharma, was dismissed for a golden duck against Uttarakhand in Bengaluru. The 'Hitman', who had announced his return to the tournament with a spectacular 155 runs from just 94 balls against Sikkim earlier this week, fell to the bowling of Devendra Singh Bora in the very first over. This left Mumbai reeling at 4/1. Rohit's previous innings was a masterclass, featuring 18 fours and nine sixes, making his first-ball exit a stark reminder of cricket's fickle nature.
Virat Kohli Anchors Delhi's Charge
In a parallel fixture, Virat Kohli showcased his sublime form, steering Delhi to a strong position against Gujarat. After the early loss of Priyansh Arya, Kohli took control of the innings. He played a characteristically fluent knock, scoring 77 runs off a mere 61 deliveries. His innings was laced with 13 boundaries and one six, coming at an impressive strike rate of 126. Kohli's partnership-building effort steadied the ship and kept Delhi firmly in command of their match.
A Reflection of Recent ODI Form
The divergent performances on Friday subtly mirror the recent ODI trajectories of the two legends. Since experiencing two successive ducks in Australia, Virat Kohli has been in phenomenal touch, amassing 584 runs in his last six ODI innings with three centuries and three fifties. Rohit Sharma, while also prolific with 495 runs in seven innings including two hundreds and three fifties, has had moments of inconsistency. The year 2025 further cemented their dominance, with Kohli finishing as India's top ODI run-getter with 651 runs at an average of 65.10, closely followed by Rohit who scored 650 runs at an average of 50.00.
These performances in the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy not only provide crucial game time for the superstars but also offer fans a thrilling glimpse of their readiness ahead of future international commitments. The tournament continues to be a vital platform for established stars and emerging talents alike.
