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The return of Rohit Sharma to domestic cricket turned into a spectacle on Tuesday as fans in Jaipur welcomed the India star with thunderous chants. Rohit’s appearance at the Vijay Hazare Trophy marked his first outing in the tournament since 2018, instantly transforming Mumbai’s opening fixture into a fan-driven celebration.
Fans chant ‘Mumbai cha Raja’ for Rohit Sharma in Jaipur
The scenes unfolded at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, where Mumbai are taking on Sikkim on December 24. As Rohit arrived at the venue, hundreds of supporters gathered near the gates and practice areas. Soon, when he came near the boundary rope, supporters were heard chanting ‘Mumbai cha Raja’ for Rohit. Social media was soon flooded with clips capturing the frenzy, underlining Rohit’s unmatched popularity even at the domestic level.
Here’s the video:
"Mumbai cha Raja, Rohit Sharma" chants from the fans as Rohit came near the boundary line for fielding.🔥
The Raja of India Cricket 🐐
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12)
Notably, Rohit’s participation comes in the wake of a recent BCCI directive asking centrally contracted players to feature in domestic white-ball competitions. The move aims to strengthen the domestic structure while keeping senior players match-ready. For fans, it has delivered a rare opportunity to watch modern-day greats compete in India’s premier domestic tournaments.
Also READ: KL Rahul, Prasidh Krishna bolster Karnataka squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy defense
Rohit’s limited appearances for Mumbai
The overwhelming turnout prompted authorities to open the East Stand for free public entry. However, crowd management became a challenge on the eve of the match when fans reportedly swarmed Rohit during a practice session, forcing security personnel to step in. Officials have since tightened arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the game.
While the excitement is palpable, Rohit’s stint in the tournament is expected to be brief. He is likely to play only Mumbai’s first two matches — against Sikkim on December 24 and Uttarakhand on December 26 — before shifting focus back to international commitments. Mumbai are being led by Shardul Thakur, with Rohit adding invaluable experience at the top of the order.
Also READ: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Schedule, Broadcast and Live Streaming details
