Thu Jan 23 17:34:55 UTC 2025: ## Rohit Sharma’s Slump Deepens: Disappointing Ranji Trophy Debut and Career Low
**Mumbai, India –** India’s Test captain, Rohit Sharma, endured a dismal return to domestic cricket on Thursday, dismissed for a paltry 3 runs in his first Ranji Trophy match in nearly a decade. The right-handed batsman’s poor performance, which saw him face 19 deliveries before being bowled by Jammu and Kashmir’s Umar Nazir Mir, triggered a walkout by several disgruntled fans, according to multiple media reports.
This latest failure marks a new low for Sharma, pushing his batting average to a 19-year low of 10.43 in the 2024/25 first-class season (across 16 innings). This is the lowest average for an Indian batsman with a minimum of 15 innings in the top six since 2006. The underwhelming performance follows a string of disappointing outings in recent Test matches.
Sharma’s struggles extend beyond this single match. His recent Test performances, particularly during India’s tour of Australia where he scored a mere 31 runs in five innings, have raised significant concerns. His 2024-25 Test season was equally lackluster, yielding only 164 runs at an average of 10.93 across eight matches and 15 innings, with a highest score of 52.
The captain’s poor form adds to the challenges facing the Indian team. Before the recent Australia series, India suffered a humiliating 0-3 home Test series defeat to New Zealand – their first home whitewash since 2000. While India secured a victory in the first Test against Australia under the interim leadership of Jasprit Bumrah, Sharma’s return to the team after a paternity break has yet to yield positive results.
Adding to Mumbai’s woes, opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal also fell cheaply, scoring only 4 runs before being LBW. The early dismissals left Mumbai struggling in their first innings. Sharma’s inclusion in the Ranji Trophy was announced by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on January 20th.
First Piper 