Rohit Sharma finished as the standout performer of the match, hammering an unbeaten 155 to claim the Player of the Match award. But his presence in the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy carries significance far beyond runs and awards.
It isn’t merely about the former India captain staying match-ready, nor is it just about the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sending a message by encouraging senior stars to play domestic cricket. There is a deeper impact at work.
VIDEO | Jaipur: “Facing Rohit Sharma was a dream come true for all of us,” says Sikkim captain Leyong Lepcha after their match against Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26.
Rohit Sharma scored 155 off 93 balls to help Mumbai register a comfortable 8-wicket win over… pi,wte,oh,AOhuKg
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) Dcme 4 05
As one of the biggest names in world cricket, Rohit’s influence extends well beyond the scoreboard. For Mumbai’s young players — Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge and Angkrish Raghuvanshi among them — sharing a dressing room with their idol is a learning experience in itself. Watching a legend up close, understanding his preparation and composure, is invaluable.
The Rohit Sharma effect
That influence isn’t limited to teammates alone. Mumbai’s opponents on the day, Sikkim, felt it just as strongly at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Introduced to India’s domestic circuit only in 2018, Sikkim are still searching for their first win in top-level domestic cricket. For them, simply sharing the field with Rohit Sharma was a moment to cherish.
Sikkim captain Leyong Lepcha spoke about the experience after the match, admitting it was special to watch the 38-year-old from close quarters.
“It was a great experience. We played pretty well batting first, and it was a treat to watch such a great player from so close. He respected the good balls and capitalized on the loose ones. When international players play, the scoring rate and strike rate are always high. It was an honour,” Lepcha told PTI.
Sikkim showed resilience by batting out their full quota of overs and setting Mumbai a target of 237. Rohit then walked out to open and virtually sealed the contest on his own, smashing 155 not out off 94 balls, an innings that left the opposition stunned and the crowd in awe.
Yet, the result mattered little to Sikkim. The takeaway was the experience.
“To play on the same ground and in the same match as a World Cup-winning captain is a dream come true for all of us,” Lepcha added. “I didn’t really get a chance to speak to him because of the security around him, but I did have a few brief chats when he was batting.”
For Sikkim, the loss faded quickly. The memory of sharing the field with a legend will last much longer.
Comments are closed.