Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Shine in Vijay Hazare Trophy Comeback

On December 24, cricket icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made a triumphant return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, each scoring impressive centuries for their teams. While Rohit led Mumbai to victory against Sikkim, Kohli guided Delhi to a win over Andhra. However, fans were disappointed by the lack of live telecast for these matches, leading to criticism of the BCCI. Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin provided insights into the telecast issues, explaining the scheduling challenges. Both players are set to play their next matches on December 26 before rejoining the national team for an ODI series against New Zealand.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 26, 2025, 00:44 IST

Stellar Performances on Opening Day

On December 24, the Vijay Hazare Trophy witnessed a spectacular return of two Indian cricket legends, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who both scored centuries for their respective teams, Mumbai and Delhi, against Sikkim and Andhra at different venues.

Rohit Sharma showcased his batting prowess by scoring 155 runs off just 94 balls, hitting 18 fours and 9 sixes, achieving a remarkable strike rate of 164.89. His performance led Mumbai to successfully chase a target of 237 runs in only 30.3 overs. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli also impressed with a score of 131 runs from 101 balls, including 14 fours and 3 sixes, guiding Delhi to a four-wicket victory over Andhra while chasing a target of 299 runs in 37.3 overs.

Crowd Reactions and Telecast Issues

Rohit played in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, where fans cheered him on with every boundary. In contrast, Kohli's match at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru was played without any spectators due to the venue's limitations.

Despite the excitement surrounding their performances, fans expressed disappointment over the lack of live telecast for these matches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) only provided limited coverage, with full telecast facilities available at Narendr Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.

Criticism Over Broadcast Quality

Although the BCCI shared highlight clips of both players' innings, the poor video quality drew criticism from fans on social media, who felt it did not do justice to their remarkable performances.

Understanding the Telecast Situation

Fans were understandably frustrated with the BCCI for not broadcasting the matches featuring Rohit and Kohli. Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin addressed this issue on his YouTube channel, explaining that the scheduling of domestic matches was set well in advance, and broadcasters were informed too late about the players' availability for the tournament.

Ashwin noted, "When the international calendar is provided, the domestic schedule is also released simultaneously. Adjusting last-minute telecasts is challenging for broadcasters."

Upcoming Matches

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to play their second and final matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Gujarat and Uttarakhand, respectively, on December 26. Following their domestic commitments, both players will rejoin the national team for a three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11.