Uttarakhand was defeated by Mumbai by 51 runs in this clash in Jaipur.
Devendra Singh Bora, an Uttarakhand fast bowler, made headlines by dismissing Rohit Sharma for a golden duck in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite 2025-26 match between Mumbai and Uttarakhand at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday, December 26.
Rohit Sharma had come into this game on the back of 155 runs in Mumbai’s first game at the venue against Sikkim. However, against Uttarakhand, Rohit Sharma disappointed his fans.
Devendra Singh Bora, a 25-year-old fast bowler, dismissed Rohit when he attempted his signature pull shot to a short ball. Rohit top-edged the ball to fine leg, where Jagmohan Nagarkoti took a catch in his second attempt. Rohit Sharma was highly dejected as he walked off the field to complete silence in the stadium.
This breakthrough was not a fluke but the result of painstaking planning and precise execution, as Bora explained after the game while reminiscing on the best wicket of his young career.
Bora spoke about the occasion, explaining that the plan to bombard Rohit with a short ball had been established in advance. According to him, both the captain and the coach believed that taking an aggressive strategy from the start could offer a chance, despite the obvious risks.
Rohit is known for his ability to punish bouncers, but Uttarakhand was willing to take a chance on an early breakthrough.
“Our plan from the start, as discussed with the coach and captain, was to bowl a bouncer to him. He plays the bouncer well, but we knew there was a risk that it could go for six. But our idea was that on the first ball we would attack with a bouncer. We knew there was a risk it could go for a six, but the idea was to create a chance with the bouncer," Bora was quoted as saying to PTI after the match.
Bora came into the clash against Mumbai with minimal exposure in List A cricket, having played only two matches in the format before this contest. Despite the lack of experience, Bora had already shown promise earlier in the season.
Despite Rohit’s early wicket, Mumbai posted 331/7 in 50 overs as the Khan brothers, Sarfaraz and Musheer, made 55 each, keeper Hardik Tamore made 93*, and Shams Mulani made 48. Devendra Bora starred with 3/74 in his 10 overs.
In response, Yuvraj Chaudhary made 96, and J. Suchith made 51 as Uttarakhand managed 280/9 in 50 overs. Shardul Thakur, Onkar Tarmale, and Musheer Khan took two wickets each as Mumbai won the game by 51 runs.