Rohit Sharma Joins Mumbai Ranji Trophy Squad for Training at Wankhede in Preparation for Champions Trophy 

Rohit Sharma, India’s Test and ODI captain, has joined Mumbai’s training sessions in preparation for the second phase of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, signaling his intent to rebuild his form amid growing questions about his future in the longest format of the game. The Mumbai team, currently gearing up for their sixth-round clash against Jammu and Kashmir, took part in a two-hour center-wicket session at Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.

This marks Rohit’s first involvement with Mumbai’s Ranji team since 2015, when he played against Uttar Pradesh. While it remains unclear whether he will feature in the upcoming Ranji Trophy fixtures, his ongoing work with Mumbai’s head coach Salvi during the training session suggests that he could play in one of the two remaining matches. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is expected to announce the squad later this week.

Rohit’s decision to link up with his first-class side comes after a difficult period in Test cricket. The 37-year-old had a poor showing in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring just 31 runs in five innings across three Tests in Australia. His home form also raised concerns, with an underwhelming average of 13.30 in ten innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand, including a historic 3-0 whitewash by New Zealand on Indian soil.

With uncertainty surrounding his future as a red-ball player, Rohit participated in a review meeting on Sunday to discuss the team’s performance. The meeting, which included head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI’s new secretary Devajit Saikia, was part of a broader effort to assess India’s recent performances in Test cricket. Mumbai’s upcoming fixture against Jammu and Kashmir at the MCA-BKC ground, starting January 23, is critical to their chances of progressing to the knockout stage of the Ranji Trophy.

Although Rohit’s participation in the upcoming match remains uncertain, his return to domestic cricket for the first time in nearly a decade has sparked speculation. His last appearance for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy was in 2015 against Uttar Pradesh. Fans and experts will be closely monitoring his performances, hoping that this stint in domestic cricket will help the veteran batsman rediscover his form and ensure his spot in India’s Test squad moving forward.