Rohit Sharma has joined the Mumbai squad for their training sessions ahead of the second phase of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, starting on January 23. The team trained for two hours at Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday and will continue preparations for their sixth-round home match against Jammu and Kashmir.
Uncertainty Around Rohit Sharma’s Participation
Although Rohit’s availability for the upcoming games isn’t confirmed, his decision to train with the team in consultation with head coach Omkar Salvi hints he may feature in at least one of the two remaining fixtures. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is expected to announce the squad later this week.
Rohit Sharma’s Test Form Under Scrutiny
The 37-year-old India captain is working to revive his Test career, which has been a topic of discussion lately. Rohit has expressed his intent to continue playing Test cricket despite stepping down from the playing XI in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney earlier this month.
Rohit had a tough series in Australia, scoring only 31 runs in five innings across three Tests. Before that, he averaged just 13.30 over ten innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand during the 2023-24 home season, where India suffered a shocking 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand, their first-ever whitewash at home in a series of three or more matches.
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Push for Domestic Cricket
After the SCG Test, India head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized the importance of Test players participating in domestic first-class cricket regularly. While Gambhir refrained from commenting on Rohit’s and Virat Kohli’s Test futures, he underlined the need to evaluate the team’s direction before the next Test series against England, stating, “Forms change, people change, and everything changes in sport.”
Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy Campaign
Mumbai, the defending Ranji Trophy champions, is in a strong position to reach the knockouts. They are currently third in Group A with three wins in five matches, just one point behind second-placed Jammu and Kashmir.
Rohit’s participation could bolster Mumbai’s squad as they aim to retain their Ranji Trophy title.
