Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma has failed on his return to first-class cricket for the first time in nearly a decade, as several of his teammates also struggled to make an impact with the bat.
Watch India vs England T20I & ODI Series LIVE on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
As part of new mandates implemented by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after their country’s 3-1 thrashing at the hands of Australia this summer, participation in domestic cricket is compulsory for players hoping to play internationally or earn a central contract.
The BCCI outline the purpose of these guidelines is to “promote discipline, unity, and a positive team environment while ensuring professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series”.
Specifically when it comes to playing first-class cricket, the body outlines that “any exceptions to this mandate will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances”.
Son of a gun tons up against CA XI | 00:30
Subsequently, that means even those such as Sharma at 37 years of age and captain of his nation are required to play for their states and regions.
Unfortunately for the veteran star, he lasted just 17 balls in his first innings back in the Ranji trophy.
He now averages 10.43 from his last 16 first-class innings; a grim stat line that played a big part in his absence from the fifth Test of this summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
His dismissal was very similar to that of one seen in the recent Test series, with a length ball being top-edged off a half-hearted pull shot.
It meant that in his first Ranji Trophy appearance for Mumbai in nearly 10 years, he was dismissed for three.
Hilariously, Sharma — and multiple other Indian players — batted the innings in their Indian helmet, with white tape covering its prominent BCCI logo.
It wasn’t just Sharma though who well and truly underperformed in their Ranji Trophy return, with all of Yashasvi Jaiswal (four runs), Shubman Gill (four), Rishabh Pant (one) and Shreyas Iyer (11) failing with the stick.
One noticeable absence from the tournament this week has been Virat Kohli; another Indian star who has been well and truly under pressure in international cricket of late.
A neck issue is believed to have been the reason for his no-show, but he will reportedly line up for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy’s final match of the summer next Thursday against Railways.
If the 36-year-old does made an appearance for Delhi, it will be the first time since November 2012 that Kohli has played in the four-day domestic competition.
Indian top-order bat KL Rahul has also been absent this week with an elbow injury, but plans to return at the same time as Kohli.
Discussion about this post