Rohit Sharma Mania Grips Jaipur as 10,000 Fans Pack Stadium for Vijay Hazare Trophy

Jaipur witnessed full-blown cricket fever on Wednesday as more than 10,000 fans packed the Sawai Mansingh Stadium to watch Rohit Sharma make his long-awaited return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The former India captain turned out for Mumbai against Sikkim in a first-round fixture, marking his comeback to India’s premier domestic 50-over competition after a gap of seven years. As Rohit stepped onto the field, chants of “Mumbai Cha Raja” echoed across the stadium, giving the match an atmosphere closer to an international contest than a domestic game.

With free entry announced by the state association and no live television or digital broadcast available, fans queued up outside the venue hours before play began. Thousands had already filled the stands even before the Mumbai team bus arrived, underscoring Rohit’s enduring popularity across regions.

The crowd erupted as Rohit walked out for warm-ups with his teammates, including Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan, with Shardul Thakur leading the side. Rohit acknowledged the adulation, frequently waving to supporters while fielding near the boundary and later taking position in the slip cordon.

Although Sikkim won the toss and opted to bat first, the stands remained packed as spectators waited patiently for Rohit’s turn to bat in Mumbai’s chase. As attendance swelled through the morning, local authorities strengthened security arrangements around the stadium.

The day also marked a rare occasion in Indian domestic cricket, with Virat Kohli simultaneously returning to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after several years. While Rohit played in Jaipur, Kohli represented Delhi against Andhra in a closed-door match in Bengaluru.

Both Rohit and Kohli are set to feature in at least two matches this season, following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India mandating domestic participation for centrally contracted players. With both veterans now focused exclusively on one-day internationals, the Vijay Hazare Trophy provides crucial match practice between international assignments.

Rohit last played the tournament during the 2018 knockout stage, while Kohli’s previous appearance dated back to 2009. Their return has injected fresh buzz into India’s domestic circuit—something Jaipur’s roaring crowd made unmistakably clear.