Rohit Sharma, the celebrated Indian cricket captain, trained with the Mumbai squad at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday as preparations ramp up for the second phase of the Ranji Trophy, commencing on January 23. Despite recent struggles, Sharma has dismissed any notions of Test retirement, determined to regain his form after managing just one fifty in his last 15 innings. The upcoming Ranji Trophy matches have become a focal point for several Indian batting icons seeking to reclaim their prowess on the field.
Sharma's recent exclusion from India's final Test in Australia due to poor form underscores the pressure he faces. Alongside him, Virat Kohli returned from a challenging tour in Australia, where he accumulated only 190 runs over nine innings, a performance that has left his reputation bruised. In a bid to recover, Kohli is set to make his Ranji Trophy comeback after more than a decade, having last played in the tournament in 2012.
The Ranji Trophy provides a platform for these seasoned players to restore their standing and confidence. Rishabh Pant is scheduled to play Delhi's next match against Saurashtra, while Shubman Gill will represent Punjab in their face-off against Karnataka in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma's opening partner, is readying himself for Mumbai's home match against Jammu and Kashmir.
Rohit Sharma is anticipated to participate in at least one of Mumbai's remaining Group A matches. His last appearance in the Ranji Trophy was during the 2017-18 season, marking a significant return for the Mumbai batsman. The stakes are high as India prepares for its next Test series—a five-match assignment in England starting June 20.
India has faced recent setbacks on the international stage, suffering a 3-0 series sweep at home by New Zealand and a 3-1 loss in Australia. The latter ended India's long-standing hold on the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy. These defeats have intensified the focus on domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, where players can hone their skills and regain lost confidence.
