VHT 2025-26, Day 1: From crowds cheering Rohit in Jaipur to Virat quietly doing work in Bengaluru

Rohit Sharma’s crowd-pleasing hundred in Jaipur and Virat Kohli’s silent ton in Bengaluru headline VHT 2025-26 Day 1 action.

The curtain rose on the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) on a day that blended nostalgia, star power and cricketing class. On day one, fans witnessed Rohit Sharma’s explosive return to domestic one-day cricket in Jaipur. At the same time, Virat Kohli quietly resumed his own storied journey in Bengaluru. Against the backdrop of questions about age and relevance, both veterans delivered reminders of why they remain among India’s most treasured batters.

Rohit Sharma steals show in Jaipur
Rohit Sharma was the star of the show in front of a packed crowd at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. It was his first appearance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy since 2017-18, and he showed everyone why he’s known as “Hitman” by making a blistering 155 off 94 balls to lead Mumbai to an easy eight-wicket win against Sikkim.

Rohit’s innings showcased his incredible control over how aggressive he was with the bat by capitalising on poor deliveries to create eight fours and eight sixes. The best part of his knock was when Rohit scored his hundred in just 62 balls – which was virtually the quickest of the day – and the whole stadium erupted into cheers as they chanted his name.

It was a testament that age has done little to dull his instincts. At 38, Rohit’s presence and form on Day one left little doubt that he still thrives in the 50-over game, and he did it in front of a packed stadium that embraced every boundary he struck.

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Virat Kohli’s subtle statement in Bengaluru
In Bengaluru, there was an alternate strong performance from Virat Kohli, who was playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the very first time in nearly 15 years. In the Delhi vs Andhra Pradesh match, Kohli delivered a phenomenal performance with an unbeaten 131 runs from just 101 balls, leading his team to victory effortlessly and very calmly.

Kohli’s innings did not receive the same crowd-enthusiasm and applause experienced by Rohit in Jaipur, as there were restrictions placed on the number of fans allowed in the stadium for this match. However, Kohli’s bat spoke loudly in ways that cannot be measured or defined. The tempo of his batting was at the highest level as he balanced both aggressive and mature methods against a very strong Andhra bowling lineup during the chase.

His contribution also carried historical weight. On the day, he became the second India batter after Sachin Tendulkar to surpass 16,000 List A runs, underlining a career built on longevity and consistency.

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Entering under spotlight
In the wake of their return to India’s elite 50-over domestic tournament, there had been much speculation regarding whether or not these two veterans of the game, who are both over 30 years old, would continue to thrive in today’s highly competitive arena where younger players are advancing at an unprecedented rate.

The fact that Kohli had performed exceptionally well in the recent home series against South Africa, with two successive centuries in the first two ODIs made it much easier for him to dismiss any concerns relating to “age.” Over the course of the three ODIs in that series, Kohli compiled 302 runs at an average of 151, which has made a strong statement regarding his recent form.

Kohli’s age (36) was not the only reason he participated in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also needed the opportunity to gain match experience before India’s next ODI series against New Zealand, as well as before the upcoming 2027 World Cup cycle. Kohli’s inclusion in the competition provides an opportunity to showcase the gravitas of its cricket experience, which is often viewed as a training ground for future stars. Rohit, meanwhile, continues to defy conventional timelines in the 50-over format, retaining both clarity of role and explosive range at the top of the order.

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Contrasting styles, shared excellence
Day one was a clear example of the two masters’ skills. Rohit’s Jaipur innings was an exciting, powerful and impactful performance that drew the attention of every fan in attendance at the stadium. Meanwhile, Kohli’s Bengaluru innings was a very precise, controlled and powerful exhibition of his batting ability, showcasing his impressive timing, control and situational awareness.

It describes how, for almost two decades, Rohit and Kohli have each represented the best of Indian batting – Rohit with his effortless strength and Kohli with his relentless accuracy. Further, the first day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy was a great display of the classic style and urgent relevance of both players.

Aftermath and what lies ahead
The first day of VHT 2025-26 was not just a beginning to a tournament; it was a response to doubts about the future of Indian domestic cricket – its ability to remain in focus, stay relevant, and adapt. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli demonstrated to all India cricketers, as well as to many of their millions of supporters, the immense impact that experience can have on individual performances.

Rohit and Kohli’s play during the remainder of the tournament will be viewed through more than just runs scored. It will also provide insight into how to be an effective leader and have a good sense of when to step in and provide a needed boost, as well as demonstrate the beauty of batting at its highest level. Crowds will fondly recall Rohit’s big sixes hit out of the stadium in Jaipur, while fans in Bengaluru will enjoy watching Kohli’s elegant drives to the boundary and how powerful his strikes were.

For Indian cricket, day one of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 will be remembered as the day that connected a past story with a bright future.

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