January 14, Mumbai In preparation for the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy’s second phase, which starts on January 23, India skipper Rohit Sharma has joined Mumbai’s team for training sessions. In anticipation of their sixth-round home game against Jammu and Kashmir, the squad practiced center-wicket for two hours on Tuesday at Wankhede Stadium. They plan to continue preparing all week.

In India’s 1-3 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Rohit had a poor batting performance. India missed a third straight berth in the World Test Championship final in addition to losing the title for the first time in ten years.

Before choosing to rest in the fifth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground, Rohit, who missed the first Test of the series because his second kid was born, failed to score more than 10 runs in the five innings. He only scored 31 runs over the series, and his poor performances drew criticism from the fans.

It’s unclear whether Rohit will play in Mumbai’s next Ranji match. He may be available for at least one of the two remaining games, however, given his decision to practice with the squad after consulting with head coach Omkar Salvi. Later this week, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is anticipated to make the team announcement.

Rohit’s childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, also suggested that the opening batsman play local games in order to go back to his best in red-ball cricket.

“I believe that Rohit’s only two objectives are to win the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship. After winning the T20 World Cup, he should have retired from all forms if he so desired, but he only did so from T20 cricket. He wasn’t the only cricket player having trouble scoring runs. Lad had told IANS that in order to be ready for Test matches, he needed to play one or two domestic games.

“Batters’ mindsets have altered as a result of T20 cricket. He was making solid runs against England last year and is a technically sound cricketer. The Dronacharya awardee said, “When we win, people call Rohit the best captain, but when we lose, they say he doesn’t know captaincy.”

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India, emphasized the value of Test players playing domestic first-class cricket whenever feasible after the SCG Test. He also avoided making predictions on Virat Kohli’s and Rohit’s Test careers, since the latter has also been having trouble lately finding his best form.

Gambhir had said, “Look, it’s too early to talk about it,” when asked whether he had any ideas regarding the team’s long-term strategy in red-ball cricket and if it was time to invest in young players. The series ended recently. We still have five months, I believe, to decide where we want to go. However, it is not the appropriate time for me to discuss that. Five months from now, where will we be?

In sports, a lot of things change. Shapes shift. Individuals evolve. shift in attitude. In sports, everything is different. Five months is a long period, as we are all aware. So, let’s see what happens before the England series. However, whatever occurs, it will be in the best interests of Indian cricket.

Mumbai, the reigning Ranji Trophy winners, is in a strong position to go to the knockout stages. With three victories from five games, they are now in third position in Group A, one point behind second-place Jammu & Kashmir.