Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma pulled Umar Nazir Mir for a trademark six, effortlessly lofted Auqib Nabi and Yudhvir Singh for a couple of more hits over the ropes to give a glimpse of his absolute best. But eventually, a fifty on Ranji comeback was not meant to be for him as he fell for 28 on Friday. Playing his first game for Mumbai in domestic red-ball cricket in nearly a decade, Rohit’s first day on the field was a disaster with the 37-year-old falling for a 19-ball 3 in the opening hour of the Ranji Trophy clash against Jammu and Kashmir.  But on Friday, Rohit gave a far better account of himself to notch up a fluent 28, his best in first-class cricket since a 52 in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand last year.

Rohit Sharma Pull Shot After 100+ Days!

pic.twitter.com/RwZQVy2yhD

— (@jod_insane) January 24, 2025

It indeed has been that long for Rohit, who has since scored 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, 6, 3 and 9 in subsequent outings against New Zealand and Australia.

Back then in mid-October, India were cemented on top of the World Test Championship points table and the house was in complete order for the national side.

What a six by Hitman ? Classic shot . Now he is looking old Rohit Sharma.#RohitSharma#RanjiTrophy pic.twitter.com/Hcbnf2TnfY

— manzur shaban (@Manzurshaban123) January 24, 2025

But it all came crumbling down following defeats to New Zealand and Australia which forced Indian superstars to play domestic cricket.

On Friday, he looked for a big one but it wasn’t to happen. Rohit’s knock of 28 was mixed with hits and misses in the initial stages, which all began with a tough dropped chance by Nazir in the fourth over when he could not grab a return catch on his follow through.

Rohit immediately responded with a pull shot for a six over the square leg.

A thick outside edge then flew between the fielder at gully and second slip, and on the final ball Rohit flashed hard and wide to put the ball away for another four on the off-side.

Dropped on one, Rohit had raced to 21 off 11 balls at one stage but he remained cautious mostly, even though there were a few times he was beaten.

With comparatively no moisture on the second day wicket here at the BKC, J&K bowlers also had to work hard to keep it tight but could not stop Rohit from freeing up his arms for a total of three sixes and two fours.

Eventually, it took a perfectly-timed leap for a one-handed grab from J&K’s Abid Mushtaq at mid-wicket off Nazir, who dismissed Rohit for the second time in the contest, to end the Indian captain’s stay in the middle.

While the lanky Nazir had the last laugh, Rohit walked off with an innings that had elements of all that was and could have been, hits and misses infused with promise that a big knock could just be around the corner for the struggling mainstay. 

Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Umar Nazir Mir produced a brilliant spell as he dismissed Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube during the Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai on Thursday. The 31-year-old troubles batters with his pace and bounce as Mumbai kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Mir dismissed Rohit for 3 with a short-pitched delivery and then clean bowled Rahane for 12. Dube was dismissed for a duck as he was caught by Kanhaiya Wadhawan. It was a stunning show from Mir who is an experienced campaigner for Jammu and Kashmir in domestic cricket.

Mir made his first-call debut in 2013 and since then, he has taken 138 wickets in 57 matches. In List A cricket, he has 54 wickets while the fast bowler has taken 32 wickets in T20s.

Mir, who hails from Pulwama and in 6-Foot-4 tall, was also named in India C’s squad for the 2018–19 Deodhar Trophy.

The much-anticipated return to domestic cricket for India captain Rohit Sharma and his opening partner in Tests Yashasvi Jaiswal was a huge disappointment as the duo was dismissed cheaply in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir, here on Thursday.

Rohit and Jaiswal had paired up for the first time ever for defending champions Mumbai, but it was not a happy return to the domestic grind for the star cricketers who were dismissed for 3 and 4 respectively.

Jaiswal was pinned in front of the wicket by J&K’s right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi, who made the most of the fresh wicket to move the new ball dangerously off the surface here at the BKC Ground.

But it was the manner in which the India captain fell that was disappointing. Looking to force the ball on the on side, Rohit got a leading edge which was caught by J&K skipper Paras Dogra at mid-off.

Interestingly, Dogra took the field wearing the No. 9 jersey that is usually worn by Yudhvir Singh, thus creating some confusion.

The 31-year-old Umar continued to make inroads as he ended Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane’s resistance by cleaning him up for 12.

While the turnout to watch the India cricketing stars at the stadium was low, those in nearby buildings, who were watching the action from their office floors, returned to work soon after the 37-year-old Rohit was dismissed.

(With PTI inputs)