Jaipur: Star Indian batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli marked their return to domestic one-day cricket in emphatic fashion by smashing centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Wednesday, underlining their class and form with commanding performances for Mumbai and Delhi respectively.

Rohit Sharma’s blistering 155 powers Mumbai

Rohit Sharma, playing his first Vijay Hazare Trophy match after a gap of seven years, produced a sensational innings of 155 off just 94 balls as Mumbai thrashed Sikkim by eight wickets in an Elite Group C match. His knock was studded with powerful strokes all around the ground and showcased his trademark timing and elegance.

Chasing a modest target of 237, Mumbai never looked under pressure as Rohit took complete control of the innings. He anchored the chase while maintaining a rapid scoring rate, enabling Mumbai to reach the target comfortably in just 30.3 overs. His innings ensured that the contest was effectively decided well before the final stages.

For his match-winning effort, Rohit was named the Player of the Match. The innings was also significant as it marked his successful return to the domestic one-day circuit, reminding selectors and fans alike of his ability to dominate bowling attacks at any level.

Kohli shines for Delhi with classy hundred

Virat Kohli, who last featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2010–11 season, also made a memorable comeback by scoring a fluent century for Delhi in their Elite Group D clash against Andhra Pradesh. Kohli reached his hundred in just 83 balls, leading Delhi’s chase of a challenging target of 299 set by the Nitish Kumar Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh side.

Kohli’s innings was a blend of controlled aggression and classic strokeplay. He rotated the strike efficiently and punished loose deliveries, ensuring that Delhi stayed on course during the run chase. His leadership at the crease played a crucial role in setting the tone for Delhi’s innings.

Kohli enters elite 16,000-run club

During his century, Kohli achieved a major personal milestone by completing 16,000 runs in List A cricket. With this feat, he became only the second Indian batter after legendary Sachin Tendulkar to reach the landmark in List A matches.

The achievement also placed Kohli among an elite global group, as he became just the ninth player overall to cross 16,000 List A runs. The list includes some of the greatest names in cricket history such as Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara and Sir Vivian Richards, further highlighting the significance of Kohli’s consistency and longevity.

Now 37, Kohli’s return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy was keenly watched, especially given his absence from the tournament for nearly a decade. His last appearance came when he captained Delhi in the 2010–11 season, making this century a fitting statement on his comeback.

Long-awaited return excites fans

Kohli had featured in the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy in the 2013–14 season but had stayed away from the Vijay Hazare Trophy since then. His decision to return generated considerable excitement among fans and followers of domestic cricket, and his performance justified the anticipation surrounding his inclusion.

For Delhi, the innings provided a strong start to their campaign and offered valuable experience to younger players batting alongside one of the modern greats of the game.

Ishan Kishan’s explosive knock grabs attention

Elsewhere in the tournament, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan made headlines in Ahmedabad with a blistering century for Jharkhand against Karnataka. Kishan smashed a 33-ball hundred, making it the second-fastest century by an Indian in List A cricket.

His effort came just one delivery short of the national record, which is held by Bihar captain Sakibul Gani, who scored a 32-ball century against Arunachal Pradesh earlier the same day. Kishan’s explosive innings has strengthened his case for a recall to the Indian ODI squad.

A strong statement from senior stars

The centuries by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, coupled with Ishan Kishan’s explosive knock, made Wednesday a memorable day in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The performances underlined the high quality of India’s domestic one-day competition and showcased the depth of talent available.

Conclusion

With senior internationals delivering standout performances and younger players pushing the limits of scoring, the Vijay Hazare Trophy continues to serve as a vital platform for excellence and selection contention. Rohit and Kohli’s dominant returns have set the tone for the remainder of the tournament, raising expectations for more high-quality cricket in the days ahead.