Rohit's Brief Comeback in Ranji Trophy Cut Short; Jaiswal Dismissed Early
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Synopsis
Rohit Sharma's much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy was cut short as he scored only three runs in 19 balls. Yashasvi Jaiswal also fell cheaply, with both players struggling against Jammu and Kashmir's disciplined bowling on a cool Mumbai morning.
Key Takeaways
- Rohit Sharma scored just three runs in his return to the Ranji Trophy.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for four runs.
- Umar Nazir Mir troubled Rohit with disciplined bowling.
- Mumbai made lineup adjustments to include Rohit and Jaiswal.
- J&K's bowling attack capitalized on favorable conditions.
Mumbai, Jan 23 (NationPress) Rohit Sharma's highly awaited return to the Ranji Trophy was fleeting, as he lasted only 19 balls, scoring three runs in Mumbai's Group A match against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sharad Pawar Academy on Thursday.
The captain of the Indian Test and ODI teams, facing scrutiny over his recent form, was in the limelight after confirming his place during the announcement of the Champions Trophy squad last week.
Rohit opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal after Mumbai’s captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first. He appeared focused, despite a laid-back demeanor before the match. However, his time at the crease was short-lived. Umar Nazir Mir from J&K bowled with a disciplined line and subtle movement, making things difficult for Rohit with consecutive maiden overs. Rohit managed just a single through the on-side and a couple of runs from a drive before succumbing to Mir on his 17th ball. A length delivery outside off, with slight movement away, induced a leading edge, and Paras Dogra took a simple catch at extra cover.
This dismissal marked a continuation of Rohit's struggles in red-ball cricket, finishing the 2024-25 Test season with an average of 10.93, managing only one half-century across 15 innings. His first-class average of 10.43 in 16 innings this season is the second-lowest since 2006 for players with at least 15 innings in the top six.
Jaiswal’s innings was similarly brief. Auqib Nabi took advantage of the morning conditions, challenging the left-hander with movement and ultimately trapping him lbw for four runs. A sharp delivery swung back to beat Jaiswal’s inside edge, hitting him deep in his crease. The umpire raised his finger without hesitation.
To make space for Rohit and Jaiswal, Mumbai made changes to their lineup, leaving out debut season star Ayush Mhatre, who had scored 408 runs at an average of 45.33. On a chilly morning in Mumbai, J&K's disciplined bowling exploited the conditions effectively, leaving Mumbai’s openers struggling to find their rhythm.
