Rohit Sharma Returns to Indian Domestic Cricket: Is Jaipur Ready as Vijay Hazare Trophy Set to Start? | Cricket News
JAIPUR: While the buzz around domestic cricket is always a welcome sight, it has become rare in recent years. For passionate Jaipur fans, this electric atmosphere usually only materializes during the Indian Premier League (IPL) or the rare white-ball international match hosted at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium (SMS).But Wednesday will be special with the start of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, with Jaipur hosting the Elite Group C matches.
Mumbai’s campaign begins in the city and fans are in for a treat: former India captain Rohit Sharma is set to play his opening matches against Sikkim (December 24) and Uttarakhand (December 26) at the SMS Stadium.Rohit’s participation follows the BCCI’s mandate requiring all centrally contracted Indian players to participate in at least two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches when available, a move aimed at ensuring match fitness ahead of international commitments.The excitement around Rohit, one of India’s greatest sporting icons, is expected to draw large crowds for a domestic match that is usually played in front of empty stands.While the ground faced crowd control challenges during a Ranji Trophy match last month, the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) is leaving no stone unturned on the security front.“We have put in place full police security along with private bouncers. I personally met the Additional SP (South), who assured me full support. All our security arrangements are firmly in place, as you also saw during the practice session,” said ad hoc organizer Deendayal Kumawat.The RCA also had the stadium cleaned. “We have prepared the stadium so that fans do not face any inconvenience. Wild plants and bushes have been removed and we will also provide drinking water free of charge. We will initially open the North and East stands, but if necessary, other stands will also be opened,” Kumawat added.
