Rohit Sharma prepares for Ranji Trophy return against Jammu and Kashmir

Team India captain Rohit Sharma is gearing up for his return to domestic cricket as he joins Mumbai for the second-round fixture of the Ranji Trophy against Jammu and Kashmir. The match is scheduled to take place from January 23 to 26 at the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy, BKC, Mumbai.

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Rohit was seen practicing in the nets on Wednesday, with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) sharing a picture of the star batter on their official social media platform, captioning it: “The Hitman show.” The senior selection committee of the MCA confirmed Rohit’s inclusion in the squad on January 20.

This match marks Rohit’s first Ranji Trophy appearance in over eight years. His last outing in the domestic tournament was in November 2015, where he played a spectacular knock of 113 runs off 140 balls against Uttar Pradesh. That match ended in a draw, and fans are eager to see the Mumbai stalwart return to form.

Rohit’s return to domestic cricket comes on the heels of a challenging period in Test cricket. The 2024-25 season proved particularly tough, with the Indian skipper managing only 164 runs across eight matches and 15 innings at a modest average of 10.93. His highest score during this stretch was a solitary half-century (52) against Bangladesh.

The opener’s struggles were also evident during India’s tour of Australia, where he could muster just 31 runs in five innings across three Tests. These performances have raised concerns about his form, making his Ranji Trophy participation crucial for regaining confidence.

Rohit has faced notable challenges as captain. Before the Test series against Australia, India suffered a historic home Test series defeat, losing 0-3 to New Zealand. This marked India’s first home Test whitewash in 12 years and their first since 2000.

Despite these setbacks, India achieved a commanding 295-run victory in the first Test against Australia in Perth under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah. Rohit rejoined the team after the birth of his second child, underscoring his commitment to balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

Mumbai Squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ayush Mhatre, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhesh Lad, Shivam Dube, Hardik Tamore (WK), Akash Anand (WK), Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Awasthi, Sylvester Dsouza, Royston Dias, Karsh Kothari.