There was a wave of applause and cheers as star player Rohit Sharma walked out to open the batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir at the BKC ground on Thursday.
But Rohit’s time at the crease was short.
After almost a decade, Rohit returned to play in the Ranji Trophy, but his comeback ended suddenly and disappointingly. Facing a delivery outside off-stump from Umar Nazir, Rohit tried to hit it towards the leg side but got a leading edge instead. PK Dogra took an easy catch, sending Rohit back to the pavilion.
The Jammu and Kashmir players celebrated loudly, knowing how important it was to dismiss a player of Rohit’s level. Rohit, looking disappointed, walked off the field, his much-awaited return ending too soon.
Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed LBW by J&K pacer Auqib Nabi for just 4 runs.
Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane had chosen to bat first after winning the toss on Thursday. This match marked Rohit’s first Ranji Trophy appearance since 2015.
Rohit’s decision to play for Mumbai followed the BCCI’s new rule that requires players to participate in domestic cricket when they’re not on national duty to maintain match fitness.
The last time Rohit played a Ranji match for Mumbai, he scored a brilliant 113 while batting at No. 4 in a drawn game against Uttar Pradesh.
