In a spectacular display of power-hitting, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma announced his return to domestic cricket with a bang, cracking the fastest century of his List A career. Playing for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a gap of seven years, the 'Hitman' tore into the Sikkim bowling attack in Jaipur on Wednesday, reaching his ton in just 62 deliveries.
A Blockbuster Return to Domestic Arena
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur witnessed a roaring crowd, estimated to be over 10,000, as Rohit Sharma walked out to chase Sikkim's total of 236. The anticipation had built for hours, and the stadium authorities were forced to open additional stands to accommodate the fans. The deafening roar that greeted his first six, a swivel pull off Kranthi Kumar that sailed into the crowd, set the tone for the evening.
Rohit made light work of the target, peppering the boundary with a steady flow of fours and sixes. This explosive innings marked his first appearance for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy since 2018, shortly after he led India to the Asia Cup title that year. On that previous occasion, he played in the quarter-final and semi-final, aggregating 49 runs across two games.
Milestones and Historical Context
This century holds a unique place in Rohit's illustrious career. It is only his second List A hundred for Mumbai, coming a staggering 17 years after his debut in the tournament. His debut was in the domestic 50-overs competition that was rebranded as the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2008, having previously been known as the Ranji Trophy One Day Trophy.
The 62-ball blitz is his 37th century in List A cricket overall. This tally includes his 33 international centuries for India. The knock also helped him close in on the significant milestone of 14,000 runs in the 50-over format. Over a 19-year List A career, Rohit has now appeared in 19 Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for his home team.
Answering Questions and Looking Ahead
At 38, Rohit Sharma, who now focuses solely on the ODI format, seems to be in prime touch, silencing any questions about his form. In his four innings since the recent Australia series, he has registered three scores above fifty. This sequence includes a match-winning, unbeaten 121 in Sydney and two half-centuries in India's home series victory against South Africa.
This return to domestic cricket is seen as a strategic move by the veteran batsman. With the next 50-over World Cup scheduled in two years in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, Rohit appears to be giving himself the best possible preparation for one final shot at lifting the coveted trophy. His performance in Jaipur sends a strong message about his intent and enduring class.
The match also featured another high-profile comeback, with Virat Kohli returning to play for Delhi in the same tournament. The day belonged to Rohit Sharma, however, as he turned back the clock with a breathtaking innings that thrilled the packed Jaipur crowd and reaffirmed his status as one of the modern greats of the limited-overs game.
