India captain Rohit Sharma’s return to domestic cricket after a decade lasted just 28 minutes, his half-hearted attempt at playing a pull shot resulting in a leading when facing Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Umar Nazir. He had made just 3 off 19 balls when he was caught at mid-off by Paras Dogra. Earlier, Rohit played out a maiden over from Nazir. Spectators at the MCA-BKC Ground welcomed Rohit with the slogan ‘Mumbai ka Raja-Rohit Sharma’ but in the middle the fan favourite in these parts of the world struggled as his feet didn’t move well.
Rohit’s last appearance for the Mumbai team was in 2015 against Uttar Pradesh. He had a series of poor scores during India’s tour of Australia; 3,9, 10, 3, 6 runs, in four Test matches. He then decided to opt out for the last Test against Australia in Sydney.
Meanwhile, in-form Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal innings lasted just eight balls and was trapped LBW by an incoming delivery from Auqib Nabi for just 4 runs.
Test No.3 Shubman Gill too didn’t make his outing for Punjab count as he scored just 11 runs against Karnataka with the team reeling at 14 for 4.
The BCCI had reiterated last week that contracted Indian cricketers must play domestic cricket when not on national duty. Virat Kohli, also struggling to find form despite a century in the first Test in Australia, has been included in the Delhi squad for the game against Railways from January 30.
Mumbai were in a spot of bother as captain Ajinkya Rahane was also back in the pavilion after Nazir bowled him for just 12.