Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal bolster Mumbai squad for Ranji Trophy clash
Xtra Time Web Desk: India captain Rohit Sharma and promising young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal have been named in Mumbai's 17-member squad for their Ranji Trophy clash against Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to start on January 23. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) announced the squad on Monday, with Ajinkya Rahane set to lead the side.
Rohit, during a recent press conference unveiling India's squads for the ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy, had confirmed his participation in the Ranji Trophy. When asked if he would feature in Mumbai's upcoming match, Rohit stated decisively, "I will."
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The India skipper heads into the domestic tournament after a disappointing Test series in Australia, where he managed only 31 runs across five innings. On January 15, Rohit trained with the Mumbai squad, adhering to the BCCI's directive making domestic cricket participation mandatory for players when their schedules permit.
Speaking on the challenges of balancing international and domestic cricket, Rohit said, "In the last 6-7 years, especially since I started playing Test cricket regularly in 2019, there’s hardly been any time for domestic matches. Playing international cricket throughout the year demands rest to refresh and reset mentally for upcoming seasons."
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However, the shift in approach now prioritizes domestic appearances. "We’ve addressed this, and it’s mandatory to play domestic cricket if time allows. It’s not about taking things for granted but assessing a player’s workload and ensuring they’re fit for the season ahead," Rohit added.
This Ranji Trophy fixture marks an important opportunity for Rohit to regain form and rhythm while contributing to Mumbai's campaign alongside the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Mumbai squad: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ayush Mhatre, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhesh Lad, Shivam Dube, Hardik Tamore (wk), Akash Anand (wk), Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Awasthi, Sylvester Dsouza, Royston Dias, Karsh Kothari.
