Indian captain Rohit Sharma's highly anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy, after nearly ten years, was met with considerable excitement but ultimately concluded in disappointment as Mumbai suffered a five-wicket defeat to Jammu & Kashmir at the BKC ground. Rohit, participating in his first domestic first-class match since 2015, was unable to make a notable contribution with the bat; however, his presence undeniably invigorated the atmosphere.

Despite the lacklustre performance, the respect for the Indian skipper remained unwavering. Following the match, Mumbai pacer Mohit Avasthi expressed his sentiments on Instagram regarding the experience of being in the same dressing room as Rohit.

“From the moment Cricket started for me till today - the one whom I have always admired and learnt a lot from - @rohitsharma45. It’s one of the highs in my career so far to share the dressing room with you. Looking forward for more such moments. All time favourites Ro45,” Avasthi wrote.

See the post here:

Rohit, who has faced a challenging period in Test cricket, did not make a significant impact upon his return to the Ranji Trophy. He was dismissed for a mere 3 runs off 19 balls in the first innings and scored 28 in the second, falling after a promising start. His opening partner in Test matches, Yashasvi Jaiswal, also had a difficult outing, managing scores of 4 and 26 in the two innings.

Mumbai's batting woes persisted as experienced players Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer also failed to perform. Their combined struggles contributed to the team's second consecutive home defeat against Jammu & Kashmir, the previous loss occurring in 2014.

This defeat has placed Mumbai's chances of reaching the quarterfinals in serious doubt. Jammu & Kashmir currently leads Group A with 29 points from six matches and requires only one point from their final game against Baroda to ensure qualification. Baroda, with 27 points from five matches, is currently competing against Maharashtra, and if they achieve a first-innings lead against Jammu & Kashmir in their concluding match, Mumbai—sitting at 22 points from six matches—will be eliminated from the group stage, even if they secure a bonus-point victory over Meghalaya.

Read Also: Harry Brook's 'Smog' Excuse Backfires as Ashwin and Vaughan Take Aim in Rajkot

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!