After India’s disappointing 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a significant announcement aimed at strengthening the domestic cricket structure. The board decided that senior Indian players, who often focus solely on international fixtures, would now actively participate in domestic tournaments. This move is expected to enhance the competitiveness of domestic cricket, provide valuable exposure to emerging talent, and ensure that seasoned players stay match-fit and maintain form during breaks from international duty.
Starting on January 23, various players like Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj have been included in the squads of their following states for the Ranji Trophy clash.
Here’s a list of how India’s top stars performed on the first day of Ranji Trophy matches:
1: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir): 3 runs
Indian opener Rohit Sharma, who has been out of form for a long time, continues to struggle against the pacers of J&K. He found it difficult to counter their swing and bounce, leading to his early dismissal in the match. His prolonged struggle against quality pace bowling has raised concerns about his form ahead of crucial international competitions and tours of India. Rohit Sharma managed to score a total of 3 runs from 19 balls and gave him wicket to Umar Nazir Mir.
2: Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir): 4 runs
Young explosive batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in a great form for the Indian side in the red-ball format. He has played various impactful knocks against the Australian side in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The opener was also a part of the Ranji Trophy clash for Mumbai. He started nicely but later on gave away his wicket cheaply to Auqib Nabi. Jaiswal only scored 4 runs out of 8 balls as he misjudged the swing and got leg before wicket.
3: Shubman Gill (Punjab vs Karnataka): 4 runs
oung top-order batter Shubman Gill, known for his immense potential and elegant stroke play, has been going through a rough patch recently. Despite showing glimpses of brilliance, he has struggled to convert his starts into significant innings across formats. For Punjab, the talented batter got out cheaply for just 4 runs facing 8 deliveries. As one of India’s brightest prospects, expectations are high, and Gill will need to work on refining his technique and mindset to regain his form.
4: Ravindra Jadeja (Saurashtra vs Delhi): 5/18
One of the greatest spin-bowling all-rounders in the world, Ravindra Jadeja showcased his masterclass once again in the red-ball format. He showcased his skills and abilities by dismissing Delhi for just a total of 188 runs. With his speed and accuracy, Jadeja took the wickets of Sanat Sangwan, Yash Dhull, Ayush Badoni, Harsh Tyagi, and Navdeep Saini. The left-arm spinner completed his 5-wicket haul in 18 overs, conceding 66 runs.
5: Rishabh Pant (Delhi vs Saurashtra): 1 run
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, renowned for his aggressive stroke play and fearless approach, has struggled to make a significant impact in cricket recently. Despite his reputation as a game-changer, Pant has been unable to replicate his usual dominance with the bat, often falling to poorly executed shots or failing to capitalize on starts. He was included in the Delhi squad for Ranji Trophy clash against Saurashtra, but he fell of for just 1 run facing 10 balls.
