Rohit Sharma confirms participation in Ranji Trophy second phase

Team India captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed his participation in the second phase of the Ranji Trophy, representing Mumbai. The announcement was made during a press conference on Saturday, where Rohit and chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed the 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ODI series against England.

When asked about his involvement in domestic cricket, the 37-year-old skipper affirmed his decision to play, stating, “I will.” Rohit’s return to first-class cricket aligns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) recent policy, which mandates domestic cricket participation for players to remain eligible for national selection and central contracts.

Acknowledging the heavy international schedule, Rohit explained that players rarely have opportunities to participate in domestic matches. “In the last 6-7 years, there has not been a time where we have been sitting at home for 45 days,” Rohit said. “If you have time and there is domestic cricket happening, you have to play.”

Rohit’s decision comes amidst growing discussions about his future in Test cricket. Despite his desire to continue in the longest format, his recent performances have been under scrutiny. During the Australia tour, Rohit scored just 31 runs in five innings across three Tests. Earlier, in the 2023-24 home season, he averaged a mere 13.30 in 10 innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Under his captaincy, India also endured a historic 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand in a three-match series.

However, his commitment to domestic cricket reflects a determination to regain form and contribute meaningfully to Mumbai’s Ranji campaign.

Mumbai, the defending Ranji Trophy champions, are currently third in Group A with three wins in five matches, trailing second-placed Jammu and Kashmir by just one point. Rohit’s inclusion is expected to boost the team as they aim to secure a spot in the knockout stage.

Earlier this week, the BCCI announced new policies requiring players to participate in domestic cricket to maintain eligibility for the national team and central contracts. The board emphasized the importance of staying connected to the domestic ecosystem to foster talent development, maintain match fitness, and strengthen the domestic structure. Exceptions to this mandate will only be granted under extraordinary circumstances.