Rohit Sharma fails to impress on Ranji Trophy return

Rohit Sharma fails to impress on Ranji Trophy return

Rohit Sharma was among the first to turn up for the warm-ups ahead of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). While his teammates played football, Rohit jogged around the ground, easing himself into the groove.

However, Rohit’s return to domestic cricket after nearly a decade lasted barely half an hour, as he mistimed a pull shot off Umar Nazir and offered a regulation chance to Paras Dogra, who moved swiftly from mid-off to short cover to complete the catch.

During his 19-ball stay at the crease, Rohit looked unsettled. The J&K fast bowlers made the most of the early morning conditions, and the India captain struggled to find his rhythm.

Opening the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit started with a single, while Jaiswal struck a boundary early on before being trapped leg-before by Aquib Nabi.

With the early dismissal of the young opener in just the third over, the responsibility fell on Rohit to steady the innings alongside Hardik Tamore. But as the J&K bowlers maintained tight lines and exploited the conditions, Rohit failed to anchor the innings.

Breathing fire with the ball, Umar Nazir claimed a four-wicket haul, leaving the defending champion reeling at 42 for five after it won the toss and elected to bat.

Anticipating a large turnout for the match, which features some of Indian cricket’s biggest stars, the Mumbai Cricket Association had arranged additional seating for spectators. As Rohit batted, office workers from nearby buildings gathered to catch a glimpse of the India skipper.

However, as Rohit departed and Mumbai continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, the crowd gradually dispersed.