Mumbai cricketer Rohit Sharma bats in the nets during a practice session on the eve of the Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir at BKC on Wednesday. | PTI
Rohit Sharma has been under immense pressure in red ball cricket with runs not flowing from his bat, especially in the last eight Test matches. Five of these Tests were at home against New Zealand (91 runs in six innings) and Bangladesh (42 runs in four innings). He missed the inaugural Border Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth which India won and could score only 31 runs in the three Tests (five innings) he played in Australia. He opted out from the last Test in Sydney due to personal form issues.
After coming back from Australia tour, Rohit practiced with the Mumbai Ranji team at Wankhede stadium from January 12 and has been hitting the nets regularly to get back into groove. He later made himself available for the Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir and practiced with the Mumbai team at BKC on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Wednesday, coming in Mumbai Cricket Association jersey after a long time, he inspected the pitch first and batted for over 20 minutes in the nets and didn’t look solid like his heydays while defending. He was cautious, contending to leave the balls outside off, and was beaten a couple of times in the process. But he looked his best when using his feet and attacking.
Rohit will be playing for Mumbai after almost a decade, under skipper Ajinkya Rahane, his longtime teammate in the Indian and Mumbai team. The Indian stalwart will have less pressure on his shoulders considering he is not leading India and playing in a domestic game.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is also appearing for Mumbai for the first time this season. Rahane said it was nice to have both Rohit and Yashasvi back. He backed Rohit to come out of a rough patch with one good innings.
“See, Rohit is Rohit. We all know his character. I am really happy to have both of them back in the Mumbai dressing room,” Rahane told reporters after Mumbai’s training session at BKC on Wednesday.
The Mumbai skipper said he has known Rohit for a long time and he has been always relaxed whether it is domestic or international cricket. He knows what to do and will get a “big one once he gets in”.
“Rohit has always been relaxed. Even playing at the international level, his character is similar. His attitude is pretty much relaxed. He knows his game really well, so no one has to tell him what he needs to do.”
Rahane said Rohit has shown the hunger in the practice sessions and he is determined to do well.
“He batted really well yesterday (in) a couple of sessions. He is determined to do well. I am sure once he gets in, he will get a big one. He is a cool guy on and off the field and has never changed, which is a very good thing,” Rahane said.
Rohit will captain India against England in a three-match ODI series starting on February 6 followed by the Champions Trophy. He is unlikely to feature in the next Ranji game against Meghalaya.
“I think he’s only playing this game; not sure about the next game. His inputs in the next four days will be really important,” Rahane said.
Sharing valuable experience
Rahane lauded both Rohit and Jaiswal for sharing their experiences with the Mumbai teammates.
“As a team, individually, players are going up to them, asking questions, and learning from them. Once they are on the field, I am sure the players will watch them and they’ll learn a lot of things from them,” Mumbai skipper said.
Rahane said Jaiswal has been doing consistently well at the highest level and having him back in the side after a year is good for the Mumbai team.
“He has been performing well for the Indian team (and) before that, he did well for Mumbai as well,” he said. It’s good to have a guy like Yashasvi in the team who is really hungry and determined to score runs,” Rahane added.
