In a significant development for Mumbai cricket, Rohit Sharmathe captain of the Indian national team, is expected to play under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane in the next Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir. The match is scheduled to begin on January 23 at the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in BKC, Mumbai. This marks Rohit’s return to domestic red-ball cricket after almost a decade, having last played in the Ranji Trophy during the 2015 season.
Rohit Sharma’s recent form
Rohit Sharma’s inclusion comes at a crucial time as he looks to return to form after a series of disappointing performances in international cricket. He has struggled for consistency in his last eight Test matches, including a lackluster performance against Australia. With just 31 runs scored in five innings during his recent outing in Australia, the upcoming domestic match presents an opportunity for Rohit to find his rhythm ahead of his future international commitments.
Why Rohit Sharma is participating in Ranji Trophy 2024-25?
The BCCI’s recent directive requiring centrally contracted players to participate in domestic tournaments unless they face fitness issues played a role in Rohit’s decision to play. This initiative aims to strengthen domestic cricket and ensure that domestic players remain match-ready.
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Mumbai squad for Ranji Trophy elite round 2024-25
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Monday announced a star-studded squad for the sixth round of the Ranji Trophy, which includes notable players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer And Shardul Thakur. The decision to appoint Rahane as captain comes after he successfully led Mumbai to victory in the Ranji Trophy last season.
The full squad for this match is as follows:
Ajinkya Rahane (captain) Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ayush Mhatre, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhesh Lad, Shivam Dube, Hardik Tamore (wicketkeeper), Akash Anand (wicketkeeper), Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur , Mohit Awasthi, Sylvester D’Souza, Royston Dias, Karsh Kothari.