India’s Test and ODI captain, Rohit Sharma, was spotted at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday morning, training with Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy players. This marked a significant moment, as it was reported earlier that Rohit had informed the Mumbai Cricket Association about his plans to join the practice session.
A video shared by Star Sports on X captured Rohit entering the iconic stadium and engaging in rigorous training with his Mumbai teammates. The clip, now trending online, also featured Rohit batting alongside Ajinkya Rahane, his long-time India teammate and the current captain of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team.
Ajinkya Rahane, celebrated for leading India to a memorable Test series victory over Australia in 2020-21, recently guided Mumbai to a Ranji Trophy title triumph. Their partnership in the nets reignited excitement among fans about their combined experience.
ALSO READ: DDCA Secretary Urges Virat Kohli To Prioritize Domestic Cricket Participation
Mumbai is set to face Jammu & Kashmir in the sixth Elite Group A match of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, scheduled from January 23 to 26. While it remains unclear if Rohit will feature in this game, his appearance at practice suggests he might break his decade-long absence from the Ranji Trophy, having last played for Mumbai in 2015 against Uttar Pradesh.
Rohit Sharma is back where it all began—training with the Mumbai Ranji team! 🏏 Preparation, passion, and focus in full swing.#RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/DWhqzyS1os
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 14, 2025
India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, emphasized the importance of Indian players participating in domestic cricket to reaffirm their commitment to red-ball cricket. This comes after India’s underwhelming performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and the preceding Test series against New Zealand. Rohit, who managed just 91 runs against New Zealand and 31 runs in three matches against Australia, opted out of the fifth Test due to poor form but remains determined to continue in the format.
ALSO READ: Shubman Gill Makes Himself Available for Punjab in Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Despite his struggles in Tests, Rohit is set to lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Fans and critics alike are eager to see if his domestic stint can spark a revival in form and restore his confidence ahead of these crucial fixtures.
