It was a highly anticipated return to domestic cricket for India captain Rohit Sharma and his Test opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, but both were dismissed cheaply on the opening day of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.
The star duo, playing together for the first time for defending champions Mumbai, failed to make an impact as they were both dismissed for low scores—Rohit for 3 and Jaiswal for 4. The early wickets dampened the mood, with Mumbai’s top order faltering at the BKC Ground.
Jaiswal’s Early Exit
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s innings was cut short by J&K’s right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi, who made excellent use of the fresh wicket conditions. Nabi’s delivery trapped Jaiswal in front of the stumps, sending him back to the dressing room with just 4 runs to his name.
Rohit’s Disappointing Dismissal
The fall of India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, was a particularly disappointing moment for Mumbai fans. After a solid start, Rohit tried to force the ball to the onside but ended up with a leading edge. The ball was safely caught by Jammu and Kashmir skipper Paras Dogra at mid-off, leaving Rohit with just 3 runs.
Interestingly, Dogra took to the field wearing the No. 9 jersey, typically worn by Yudhvir Singh, leading to a brief moment of confusion among spectators.
Mumbai’s Struggles Continue
The early wickets of both Rohit and Jaiswal seemed to set the tone for the rest of the innings, as Mumbai continued to lose key wickets. Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane, the next to come in, was unable to resist the pressure for long and was dismissed for 12 by Umar, another of J&K’s pacers.
Low Turnout at the Stadium
Despite the presence of high-profile players like Rohit and Jaiswal, the turnout at the stadium was low, and many spectators in the nearby office buildings who had gathered to watch the cricket returned to work soon after Rohit’s departure.
Jaiswal and Rohit Return to Action
Jaiswal was the first to walk out to the field after Rahane won the toss and elected to bat. Rohit, on the other hand, followed shortly thereafter, only for both batsmen to be dismissed quickly, much to the disappointment of their fans.
What’s Next for Mumbai?
With both opening batsmen back in the pavilion, Mumbai will now look to their middle order to recover and build a competitive total. The match continues to unfold at the BKC Ground, and Mumbai will need a strong comeback to challenge Jammu and Kashmir.
