Rohit Sharma Aims to Train with Mumbai Ranji Team After Test Series Defeat

Following India's disappointing Test series loss in Australia, captain Rohit Sharma plans to train with the Mumbai Ranji team. He is expected to attend the team's practice session at the MCA-BKC ground on Tuesday. Rohit scored only 31 runs in three Tests during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy before missing the final match in Sydney.

Rohit participated in a meeting on Sunday with head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI's new secretary Devajit Saikia to assess the team's performance. An official from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) revealed that Rohit has shown interest in training with the Mumbai Ranji team. He contacted head coach Omkar Salavi to inquire about their training schedule for the next Ranji match, which is 10 days away.

Mumbai Ranji Team Training

The MCA source mentioned that Rohit, who last played for Mumbai in 2015 against Uttar Pradesh, has not yet confirmed his availability for the upcoming match. The Mumbai selectors have some time before they meet to choose the squad for the next few matches. The Ranji Trophy resumes on January 23, with Mumbai facing Jammu and Kashmir at the MCA-BKC ground.

This match is crucial for Mumbai's chances of advancing to the knockouts. Although it is uncertain if Rohit will play in Mumbai's next match, he is expected to attend training on Tuesday. Rohit's recent poor performance included scores of 3, 9, 10, 3, and 6, averaging 10.93 in Australia.

Speculation About Rohit's Future

During an interaction with the official broadcaster on the second day of the Sydney Test, Rohit dismissed retirement rumours. He explained that his decision to step down was due to poor form and not because he was retiring. "I have not retired. I stood down, that is what I would say," Rohit stated.

Rohit handed over captaincy duties to Jasprit Bumrah, leading to widespread speculation about his future. He clarified that discussions with the coach and selector were straightforward: "I am not able to score runs; there is no form." The team needed a player in form for such an important match.

Commitment to Domestic Cricket

Head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized the importance of senior players participating in Ranji games if they are committed to red-ball cricket. The BCCI leadership has also stressed that stars should not skip domestic events when their international schedule permits participation.

India lost the five-match series in Australia 1-3 after winning the first match in Perth. Rohit mentioned that both team management and selectors supported his decision to step down due to his lack of form. "As it is, in our batting, the form of the boys is not that good," he added.

The upcoming Ranji match holds significance for Mumbai's progression in the tournament. While Rohit's participation remains uncertain, his presence at training indicates a commitment to improving his form and contributing to domestic cricket.