January 23, 2025: Rohit Sharma’s poor form with the bat continued on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir in Mumbai, where he was dismissed for just 3 runs. Facing 19 deliveries, Rohit couldn’t get going and fell to pacer Umar Nazir Mir. This dismissal marks another disappointing chapter in his recent batting struggles.
Rohit’s form has been a cause for concern for both his domestic and international performances. His last Ranji Trophy appearance was in 2015 when he scored a brilliant 113, but his recent Test outings, particularly in the 2024-25 season, have been underwhelming. In eight matches and 15 innings, he managed only 164 runs, with a disappointing average of 10.93 and just one half-century against Bangladesh.
Adding to his challenges, India faced a significant loss under his leadership during the Test series against New Zealand, suffering a whitewash at home — a historic first since 2000.
Rohit’s poor start in the Ranji Trophy follows a tough 2024 Test season, raising questions about his current form and consistency. Mumbai’s early setbacks were compounded by the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who managed just 4 runs before being dismissed LBW by Auqib Nabi. With both openers falling cheaply, Mumbai found themselves struggling in the early stages of their innings.
In other domestic action, Shubman Gill, leading Punjab in their clash against Karnataka, also faced a rough patch, dismissed for just 4 runs by Abhilash Shetty. The performances of these prominent Indian players in the domestic tournament have raised eyebrows, as they look to regain form and confidence heading into future international assignments.
It remains to be seen how these players will bounce back and if the domestic season provides them with the opportunities to find their rhythm before the upcoming international series.