Jaipur: The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 has turned into a memorable spectacle for cricket fans, with India’s biggest stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to domestic cricket and producing moments that blended performance with nostalgia. Among them was a touching reunion involving Rohit and former Mumbai and Mumbai Indians teammate Dhawal Kulkarni, a clip of which has gone viral on social media.
Star power lights up Vijay Hazare Trophy
The presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Vijay Hazare Trophy added rare star value to the domestic tournament. Rohit turned out for Mumbai, while Kohli strengthened Delhi’s line-up. Both batters made an immediate impact, scoring centuries in their opening matches — Rohit against Sikkim and Kohli against Andhra Pradesh — reinforcing the importance of senior players featuring in domestic competitions.
For fans, the tournament became more than just a List A event. Packed stands, viral clips and heightened attention followed every appearance by the two stalwarts, who are usually seen only on the international stage or in the IPL.
A nostalgic reunion in the dressing room
One of the most heartwarming moments of the tournament came off the field. In a video widely shared on X, Rohit Sharma is seen reuniting with Dhawal Kulkarni in the dressing room. Kulkarni, a former India pacer and long-time Mumbai stalwart, requested Rohit to sign his glove — a gesture that symbolised years of shared memories.
Rohit obliged without hesitation, smiling as he signed the glove. The brief exchange struck a chord with fans, many of whom recalled the duo’s journey through domestic cricket and their time together at Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
Kulkarni and Rohit played several seasons for Mumbai in domestic cricket, contributing to the side’s dominance in Indian domestic tournaments. Later, they shared the Mumbai Indians dressing room during the franchise’s early and successful IPL years, winning titles and building a legacy that still resonates with fans.
Rohit’s explosive return to List A cricket
On the field, Rohit’s return to List A cricket after a long gap was nothing short of spectacular. In Mumbai’s opening Group C match against Sikkim, the former India captain produced a breathtaking innings, scoring 155 off just 94 balls.
Facing an inexperienced bowling attack, Rohit dismantled the opposition with trademark authority. His innings featured 18 fours and nine sixes, as Mumbai chased down a target of 237 in just 30.3 overs, registering an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
The match, played on Christmas Eve, drew a near-capacity crowd of around 20,000 spectators. Fans celebrated the occasion as much as the innings, turning the fixture into a festive event marked by cheers, chants and phone cameras capturing every boundary.
Mixed fortunes in the second match
However, Rohit’s campaign also reflected the unpredictability of cricket. In the following match against Uttarakhand, he failed to replicate his heroics and was dismissed for a golden duck, a sharp contrast to his previous outing.
Despite Rohit’s early exit, Mumbai put up a competitive total of 331 for seven. The innings was anchored by keeper-batter Hardik Tamore, who remained unbeaten on 93 off 82 balls. Sarfaraz Khan chipped in with a fluent 55 off 49 deliveries, while Musheer Khan added 55 off 56 balls, underlining the depth of Mumbai’s batting.
With the ball, Musheer Khan also made an impact, picking up two wickets for 57 runs. Uttarakhand fought hard in the chase, reaching 280 for nine, largely due to opener Yuvraj Choudhary’s run-a-ball 96. However, Mumbai held their nerve to seal a 51-run victory.
Significance beyond numbers
Rohit Sharma’s participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy carried significance beyond runs and results. It aligned with the BCCI’s push for centrally contracted players to feature in domestic tournaments, a move aimed at strengthening the domestic structure and inspiring younger cricketers.
For players like Dhawal Kulkarni, the tournament became a moment of reflection and pride — a reminder of shared journeys and the bonds forged through years of cricket. For fans, it offered rare glimpses of their heroes in a more intimate domestic setting, where interactions feel personal and performances resonate differently.
Looking ahead to international duty
After completing his stint in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rohit returned home and is set to rejoin the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, which begins on January 11. His explosive knock against Sikkim, despite the setback in the second match, suggests he is carrying momentum and confidence into international cricket.
As the Vijay Hazare Trophy continues, moments like Rohit’s reunion with Kulkarni underline why domestic tournaments remain integral to Indian cricket — not just as a pathway for talent, but as a stage where memories, emotions and legacies converge.