KKN Gurugram Desk | Indian cricket is currently going through a challenging phase. The announcement for the squads for the Champions Trophy and the ODI series against England has been delayed. Key players like Jasprit Bumrah are injured, while the form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has been underwhelming. Amid this, Rohit has taken a commendable step to regain his form and secure his place in Test cricket.
Rohit Joins Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy Practice
In a bold move, Rohit Sharma has decided to join Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy practice sessions. This sets an example for other cricketers to follow. According to reports, Rohit will practice with the Mumbai team at Wankhede Stadium. He wasted no time after returning from a disappointing tour of Australia, where his performance was below par, and has already started preparing for the Champions Trophy.
Participation in Matches Still Uncertain
Mumbai is set to face Jammu & Kashmir in the next round of the Ranji Trophy. While Rohit has joined the training sessions, his participation in the matches remains unconfirmed. Reports suggest that he is focusing on honing his skills in red-ball cricket instead of taking a break. An official stated, “Rohit will train with the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team, but it’s not decided if he will play the match against Jammu & Kashmir. He will inform the MCA in due course.”
Rohit’s Last Ranji Appearance in 2015
Rohit last played a Ranji Trophy match in 2015 against Uttar Pradesh. After struggling with the bat during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he felt the need to return to basics. His scores of 3, 9, 10, 3, and 6 across five innings in Australia, averaging 10.93, underscored the necessity for a reset.
Virat Kohli Also Advised to Play Domestic Cricket
The next round of the Ranji Trophy begins on January 23. Apart from Rohit, Virat Kohli has also been advised to participate in domestic cricket to improve his form in longer formats. Kohli last played a Ranji Trophy match in 2012 and has also struggled in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India lost 1-3. Head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized the importance of domestic tournaments, urging players to participate in red-ball cricket to strengthen their Test team claims.
