The festive spirit of Christmas Eve in Jaipur was amplified by a spectacular batting display from Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma. Representing Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Sikkim at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Sharma treated a packed crowd to a breathtaking innings of 155 runs from just 94 deliveries, propelling his team to a commanding eight-wicket victory.
A Festive Batting Carnival in the Pink City
Despite it being a working Wednesday, an estimated 20,000 spectators flocked to the stadium, drawn by the allure of watching the 'Hitman' in action. They were not disappointed. From his very first ball, Rohit was in sublime touch, signaling his intent with a boundary. The innings was a exhibition of his full repertoire: swivel pulls, effortless lofts over the bowler's head, and even audacious sweeps against pacers executed on one knee. His first seven scoring shots were all boundaries, setting the tone for a dominant chase of Sikkim's total of 236.
Records Tumble in a Comeback Knock
This match marked Rohit Sharma's first appearance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a gap of seven years, making his performance a highly anticipated comeback. He reached his 37th List A century in just 62 balls and accelerated to 150 off only 91 deliveries. The knock was studded with 18 fours and 9 sixes, one of which was so powerful it broke his bat. This monumental score of 155 is his ninth 150-plus score in List-A cricket, drawing him level with Australian David Warner at the top of that elite list.
Rohit forged a strong 141-run opening partnership with Angkrish Raghuvansi (38) and added another 75 runs with debutant Musheer Khan (27*). Mumbai chased down the target of 237 in a mere 30.3 overs, showcasing complete dominance. The atmosphere was electric, with fans erupting into chants of "Daal Baati Choorma, Rohit Sharma Soorma!" every time he found the boundary.
A Gift for Fans and What's Next
The dismissal of Rohit Sharma, caught off the bowling of Kranthi Kumar, prompted a large section of the satisfied audience to begin leaving the stadium, having witnessed a truly memorable sporting event. His emotional connection with the Jaipur crowd was evident, and this innings served as a perfect 'return gift' to his supporters in the Pink City. Mumbai's next fixture in the tournament is against Uttarakhand at the same venue, where fans will be hoping for another commanding performance from their skipper.
Brief Scores: Sikkim 236/7 (A Thapa 79) lost to Mumbai 237/2 in 30.2 overs (Rohit Sharma 155, Angkrish Raghuvansi 38).
