On a historic Sunday in Vadodara, the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) Stadium celebrated its first-ever men’s international match with a grand tribute to two of India’s greatest legends: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
The ceremony was a perfect kickoff to the 1st ODI against New Zealand on January 11, 2026. Here is a simple breakdown of the special moment.
A Historic Venue for a Historic Moment
The BCA Stadium in Kotambi made history today by hosting a men’s international game for the first time. To mark this milestone, the association chose to honor the two pillars of modern Indian cricket, Rohit and Kohli, before the match began.
The “Closet” Surprise
In a unique and creative setup, the two veterans were “unveiled” to the crowd. Rohit and Virat were hidden inside a specially designed closet that featured their own iconic photographs on the doors. As they stepped out to a roar from the Vadodara crowd, the two legends signed their large-scale photographs, creating a permanent memory for the new stadium. The ceremony was a “thank you” for their massive contributions to the sport and their leadership over the years.
Back in Blue
Fans were thrilled to see “Ro-Ko” back in action on home soil. After a successful 2-1 series victory in South Africa, the veterans looked refreshed and ready. While Rohit provided a brisk start at the top of the order, Kohli’s entry at number three was met with one of the loudest cheers ever heard in Vadodara.