Ranji Trophy: Rohit Sharma fails to impress on return to Mumbai team

Rohit Sharma made his return to domestic cricket after almost a 10-year absence. He played for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy.

While everyone waited dearly for Team India skipper Rohit Sharma as he returned to domestic cricket after almost a 10-year-long gap, the 'Hitman' couldn't make a mark on his return and had to depart on just 3 runs against Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy on Thursday.

 

J & K bowler Umar Nazir Mir took the big wicket of Rohit as the opener batted for 19 deliveries only to be caught in the end at just 3. Yashasvi Jaiswal too was seen losing his wicket cheaply via LBW as he got sent back to the pavilion on just 4 runs at the beginning of the innings. 

 

Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane wouldn't have expected such a start to their Ranji Trophy match despite of having such a power-packed duo open for them. However, fans were still delighted to see their heroes play for the local sides after a long time. 

Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who teamed up for the first time as opening partners for defending champions Mumbai, had a tough return to domestic cricket. Both were dismissed early, with Jaiswal scoring just 3 and Rohit making 4 runs.

 

Jaiswal fell to J&K’s right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi, who exploited the fresh pitch conditions and made the new ball move sharply. Rohit’s dismissal was particularly disappointing; attempting to drive the ball on the on-side, he produced a leading edge that was easily caught by J&K captain Paras Dogra at mid-off.

 

In an unusual moment, Dogra wore the No. 9 jersey, typically worn by Yudhvir Singh, causing some confusion on the field. 

 

Umar continued his impressive bowling, dismissing Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane for 12, ending his brief resistance. 

 

Although the crowd at the BKC Ground was sparse, office workers in nearby buildings, watching the match from their windows, quickly returned to their work after Rohit’s exit at the crease. Jaiswal was the first to walk out after Rahane elected to bat, with Rohit following shortly after.