Rohit Sharma’s Early Dismissal Sparks Concerns in Ranji Trophy Return

MUMBAI, India — Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma‘s return to domestic cricket after nearly a decade ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for just 3 runs during Mumbai‘s Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. The 36-year-old opener, who last played in the Ranji Trophy in 2015, struggled against J&K’s pace attack at the BKC ground in Mumbai.

Sharma’s dismissal came in the sixth over of the match, bowled by Umar Nazir. A short-pitched delivery caught Sharma off guard, leading to a mistimed shot that was easily caught at mid-off. His early exit added to concerns about his recent form, following a disappointing Test series against Australia where he scored just 31 runs in three matches.

“It was a tough day for Rohit,” said cricket analyst John Smith. “He looked out of sorts and couldn’t handle the bounce and movement from the J&K bowlers.”

Sharma’s struggles were part of a broader trend among Indian stars returning to domestic cricket. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant also failed to make an impact, scoring 5, 4, and 1 respectively in their respective matches. Sharma’s dismissal mirrored his struggles in the recent Test series, where he was criticized for his inability to handle short-pitched deliveries.

Jammu and Kashmir’s bowlers, led by Auqib Nabi and Umar Nazir, dominated the Mumbai batting lineup. Nabi dismissed Jaiswal early, while Nazir’s precision and bounce troubled Sharma throughout his brief innings. “Nazir was exceptional today,” said J&K captain Parvez Rasool. “He stuck to his plans and executed them perfectly.”

Sharma’s return to the Ranji Trophy was seen as an opportunity to regain form ahead of India’s upcoming Test series. However, his early dismissal has raised questions about his ability to adapt to challenging conditions. “Rohit needs to find a way to counter these short balls,” said former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. “It’s becoming a recurring issue.”

Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane, who opted to bat first, expressed confidence in Sharma’s ability to bounce back. “Rohit is a class player,” Rahane said. “He just needs time to get back into rhythm.”

Despite the early setbacks, Mumbai managed to post a competitive total, thanks to contributions from their middle order. The match continues to be a test of resilience for both teams as they vie for crucial points in the Elite Group A standings.