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The much-anticipated return of India’s cricketing stars to the Ranji Trophy ended in disappointment on Thursday as Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill failed to deliver impactful performances on the opening day of their matches. The exception was Ravindra Jadeja, whose all-round brilliance stood out as he claimed a five-wicket haul for Saurashtra in Rajkot.
Match Highlights:
Rohit Sharma’s Unimpressive Comeback for Mumbai
- Playing his first Ranji Trophy game in a decade, Rohit managed only 3 runs, falling to Umar Nazir‘s delivery. Attempting his signature pull shot, he ended up giving a catch to Paras Dogra at mid-off.
- Mumbai, despite boasting several stars, were bowled out for a mere 120 in 33.2 overs against Jammu and Kashmir.
- Rohit’s India opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, was also dismissed cheaply for 4 by Auqib Nabi, who exploited the fresh pitch conditions.
- Shreyas Iyer, another key player preparing for the Champions Trophy, scored 11 before being caught at mid-on.
- Notably, teenage opener Ayush Mhatre, in fine form this season, was left out to accommodate the star players.
Rishabh Pant’s Struggles in Rajkot
- Playing for Delhi after a long hiatus from first-class cricket, Pant managed just 1 off 10 balls, falling to left-arm spinner Dharmendrasingh Jadeja. An ill-timed sweep landed in the hands of the fielder at deep square leg.
- Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja stole the spotlight, taking a stunning 5-wicket haul to dismiss Delhi for 188 on a turner.
Shubman Gill’s Failure in Bengaluru
- Leading Punjab, Gill could not make an impact, scoring only 4 runs before being caught behind off Abhilash Shetty. Punjab were bundled out for a dismal 55, with Shetty and Vasuki Koushik dismantling the batting lineup.
Other Notable Performances:
- Utkarsh Singh starred with the ball for Jharkhand, claiming 5/50 to bowl out Chhattisgarh for 230.
- Opener Anuj Tiwari was the lone fighter for Chhattisgarh, carrying his bat through the innings with an unbeaten 99.
- Jharkhand ended the day at 11 without loss, setting the stage for a strong reply.
BCCI’s Push for Domestic Cricket
- The participation of India’s contracted players in the Ranji Trophy came after the BCCI issued a 10-point disciplinary directive, emphasizing the importance of red-ball cricket in light of the team’s recent 1-3 series loss in Australia.
- The move is aimed at reinforcing players’ commitment to domestic cricket and bridging the gap between international and domestic performance.
Takeaways:
While the return of marquee players to domestic cricket created a buzz, their inability to adapt to testing conditions highlighted the gap in red-ball preparation. The Ranji Trophy remains a crucial platform for players to regain form and rhythm, with performances like Ravindra Jadeja’s offering hope amidst the struggles of others.
