In an underwhelming comeback to the Ranji Trophy, Indian captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for just three runs off 19 balls in Mumbai’s Group A clash against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy, BKC, Mumbai. Rohit’s rare failure marked a significant low in his illustrious career, frustrating fans who left the ground shortly after his dismissal.
Struggles Against Umar Nazir Mir
Rohit Sharma started his innings with a quick single but soon found himself struggling against Jammu and Kashmir’s pacer Umar Nazir Mir. The tall right-arm seamer maintained a probing line outside off-stump and frequently adjusted his length, unsettling the Mumbai skipper. On the 17th ball he faced from Mir, Rohit attempted his trademark pick-up shot but got a leading edge, resulting in an easy catch for Paras Dogra.
The dismissal left fans disappointed, many of whom had flocked to the venue after the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) arranged additional seating to accommodate the anticipated crowd. Rohit’s early departure left a significant void as the Mumbai batting line-up faltered.
A Career-Low First-Class Season
Rohit’s dismissal added to an already challenging first-class season, where his batting average has plunged to just 10.43 across 16 innings. This marks the lowest average by an Indian top-six batter since 2006 (minimum of 15 innings) and the second-lowest globally in recent years. England’s Haseeb Hameed holds the unfortunate record with an average of 9.44 in 18 innings during the 2018 season.
In the ongoing season, Rohit has accumulated only 167 runs across nine matches, with 164 runs coming from Test cricket, including a solitary fifty. His struggles were highlighted during India’s tour of Australia, where he managed a mere 31 runs across five innings at an average of 6.2—the lowest-ever by a visiting captain in Australia. Rohit eventually dropped himself from the playing XI for the final Test in Sydney.
Mumbai’s First-Innings Collapse
Mumbai’s performance in the match mirrored Rohit’s struggles. The team was bowled out for a paltry 120 runs in their first innings, with all-rounder Shardul Thakur standing out as the lone fighter, scoring a valuable fifty. Jammu and Kashmir capitalized on Mumbai’s collapse, taking a 26-run lead by the end of the day’s play with five wickets down. The match remains crucial as Jammu and Kashmir sit above Mumbai in the Group A points table.
For Rohit Sharma, this season’s form raises significant questions about his long-term role in first-class cricket, as fans and critics alike reflect on this uncharacteristic slump in the star batter’s career.
