The Mumbai captain Ajinkys Rahane has backed his team-mate Rohit Sharma to give a great comeback as the Indian skipper returns to the Ranji Trophy after his poor performance in his last eight tests this season.
In the three tests in Australia and five at home before that Rohit managed only 164 runs from 15 innings at an average of 10.93.
“What is important is he is hungry, he is determined to do well,” said Rahane ahead of Mumbai’s next fixture. “I am sure once he gets in, he will get a big one.
“He batted really well yesterday [in] a couple of [net] sessions, so it’s part and parcel of a player’s career. I am really confident about Rohit.”
“Rohit has always been relaxed. Even playing at the international level, his character is similar. His attitude is pretty much relaxed. He knows his game really well so, no one has to tell him what he needs to do.
“Once he gets in, I’m sure he will do well. He has never changed, which is a very good thing.”
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After coming round in which Mumbai host Jammu & Kashmir at home, Rohit will captain the side against England in a three-match ODI series starting on February followed by the Champions Trophy 2025.
“I think he’s only playing this game; not sure about the next game,” Rahane said of Rohit’s availability. “His inputs in the next four days will be really important.”
Mumbai also included Jaiswal for the upcoming round, although he was among India’s squad for England’s tour of India 2025.
Rahane said the return of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal would add a lot of value in the dressing room too.
“As a team, [and] individually, players are going up to them [and] asking questions, learning from them,” Rahane said. “Once they are on the field, I am sure the players will watch them and they’ll learn a lot of things from them.”
Rohit Sharma and Jaiswal are expected to opent together for a star studded Mumbai line-up that will also see Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube and Shardul Thakur along with other domestic stars such as Shams Mulani, Siddhesh Lad and Tanush kotian.
Mumbai and Jammu & Kashmir will play their Ranji Trophy match on January 23 at MCA Cricket Ground.
