Rohit Sharma’s Domestic Return Falters as Mumbai Crumbles Against J&K in Ranji Trophy

India captain Rohit Sharma’s return to the Ranji Trophy did not go as planned. Playing for Mumbai in their Group A match against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sharad Pawar Academy in BKC, Mumbai, Rohit was dismissed for just three runs off 19 balls.

This performance marked a 19-year low for the cricketer, leaving fans disheartened as they departed the venue soon after his dismissal. Rohit began his innings with a single on the on-side but found himself struggling against Umar Nazir Mir’s disciplined line and varying lengths.

Eventually, Rohit fell to Mir while attempting a pick-up shot, which resulted in a leading edge caught by Paras Dogra.

Rohit’s Declining Form

Rohit’s performance in the 2024/25 first-class season has been underwhelming, with a batting average of just 10.43 across 16 innings.

This is the lowest average by an Indian batter since 2006 (minimum of 15 innings in the top six) and the second-lowest overall. During this period, Rohit managed only 167 runs across nine matches, with 164 runs coming from Test cricket.

His poor form included a forgettable tour of Australia, where he scored a mere 31 runs in five innings at an average of 6.2, the lowest by a visiting captain Down Under. Rohit subsequently dropped himself for the final Test match in Sydney.

Mumbai’s Struggles Continue

It was not just Rohit who faltered; Mumbai’s first innings ended at a paltry 120 runs, with Shardul Thakur’s fifty being the only bright spot.

Jammu and Kashmir capitalized on the situation, taking a 26-run lead at the close of play for the loss of five wickets.

The Mumbai Cricket Association had made additional seating arrangements for fans to witness the high-profile return of Indian stars like Rohit, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill. However, their early dismissals dampened the excitement.

Rohit’s Unsuccessful Comeback

After a decade-long gap, Rohit returned to the Ranji Trophy in hopes of regaining form ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Unfortunately, his innings against Jammu and Kashmir ended prematurely when a mistimed pull shot off Umar Nazir resulted in a catch at mid-off by Paras Dogra.

Rohit’s India opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal also had a disappointing outing, scoring just four runs before being trapped lbw by Auqib Nabi.

Mumbai’s batting line-up, including Shreyas Iyer, who managed only 11 runs, failed to deliver on a day when fans had hoped for fireworks.

Challenges for Other Indian Stars

The disappointment was not limited to Mumbai. Across different venues, other Indian stars also struggled.

In Rajkot, Rishabh Pant’s return to first-class cricket ended quickly as he scored just one run off 10 balls before being dismissed by Saurashtra’s Dharmendrasingh Jadeja.

However, Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the standout performer, taking a five-wicket haul to dismiss Delhi for 188. Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, Shubman Gill’s Punjab side was bowled out for a mere 55 runs against Karnataka, with Gill contributing just four runs.

A Season to Forget for Rohit

Rohit’s dismal run in red-ball cricket continued. His first-class batting average of 10.43 this season is a stark contrast to his earlier performances.

This poor form has raised concerns about his preparation ahead of international assignments. Despite his efforts to regain form, including participating in domestic cricket as mandated by the BCCI, Rohit’s struggles have persisted.

His lean patch has been characterized by multiple single-digit scores and a lack of impactful innings.

Umar Nazir’s Delight at Dismissing Rohit

Umar Nazir, who took 4 for 41 in the match, expressed his joy at claiming Rohit’s wicket. “A good ball is a good ball against any player, but dismissing Rohit Sharma is special. It’s a prized wicket for me,” Nazir stated.

He credited the surface for providing assistance and maintained his composure despite the high-profile nature of the opposition.

Nazir’s disciplined bowling troubled Mumbai’s batting line-up and proved crucial in Jammu and Kashmir’s efforts to gain an early advantage.

Bright Spots Amid Disappointments

Despite the underwhelming performances of big names, there were moments of brilliance in other matches. In Ranchi, off-spinner Utkarsh Singh’s five-wicket haul helped Jharkhand bowl out Chhattisgarh for 230.

Anuj Tiwari’s unbeaten 99 for Chhattisgarh was another highlight, but Utkarsh’s consistent strikes ensured Jharkhand gained the upper hand.