"Rohit Sharma Ka Character...": Ajinkya Rahane's Backing Ahead of India Captain's Ranji Return

Mumbai – Embattled Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy after nearly a decade, and Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane has thrown his full support behind the veteran opener. As defending champions Mumbai prepare to face Jammu and Kashmir at the BKC Ground on Thursday, all eyes will be on Rohit and his India opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal.

"Rohit is Rohit. We all know that. Aapko bhi pata hai Rohit ka character (You also know Rohit's character)," Rahane said during Mumbai's training session on Wednesday. "I'm really happy to have both of them back in the Mumbai dressing room. Rohit has always been relaxed. Even at the international level, his character has remained the same. His attitude is very much composed, and he knows his game inside out. No one has to tell him what to do."

Rahane expressed confidence in Rohit's ability to bounce back from a dip in form, which has seen him struggle in recent months, including Test series losses to New Zealand (at home) and Australia (away). "Once he gets in, I’m sure he will do well. He’s never changed, which is a very good thing," Rahane said, adding that Rohit’s hunger and determination to succeed remain intact.

The 37-year-old Rohit’s participation in this Ranji match could be a one-off, as he is set to lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against England starting February 6, followed by the Champions Trophy. “I think he's only playing this game; not sure about the next one. His inputs over the next four days will be really important,” Rahane noted.

Jaiswal’s Hunger Impresses Rahane

On Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahane said the young opener’s determination has been key to his success in international cricket. “In the last couple of years, he’s been performing well for India. Before that, he did really well for Mumbai. It’s good to have a guy like Yashasvi in the team who is hungry and determined to score runs,” Rahane said, adding that Jaiswal’s work ethic inspires the younger players in the squad.

Both Rohit and Jaiswal, Rahane noted, have been instrumental in sharing their experiences with Mumbai’s younger players, offering valuable insights during team discussions and training sessions.

Mumbai’s Red-Ball Focus

With Mumbai returning to red-ball cricket after a stint in white-ball competitions like the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rahane emphasized the need for the team to adapt quickly. “The challenge is to adapt as a team because everyone has been playing white-ball cricket for the last one-and-a-half months. It’s about focusing on our strengths and staying in the moment,” he said.

On whether Rohit and Jaiswal would open the innings for Mumbai, Rahane responded with a smile, “Is this even a question?”

Mumbai, bolstered by the presence of two key players in Rohit and Jaiswal, will look to maintain their dominance as the Ranji Trophy resumes its second and final leg.