India’s Top Stars Flop in Ranji Trophy Return: A Major Setback Ahead of CT 2025
The top-order batters of the Indian cricket team include Captain Rohit Sharma, Vice Captain Shubman Gill, Wicket Keeper Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer. These four prominent players, along with Virat Kohli, are expected to lead India's batting lineup. Recently, they returned to the Ranji Trophy, representing their respective teams, but unfortunately, all four were dismissed cheaply in their first innings.
This disappointing performance has raised concerns among fans who were eager to see their heroes compete in the domestic competition. Let’s take a closer look at how these players fared upon their return to the Ranji Trophy.
Rohit Sharma Can't Pull
Rohit Sharma's return was highly anticipated, especially as Jio Cinema live-streamed the Mumbai vs. J&K match for free. With a nearly full crowd at Wankhede Stadium, Rohit walked onto the field with his Indian opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rohit took his time at the crease, primarily leaving and defending deliveries. However, in an attempt to accelerate the scoring, he tried to play a half-pull against J&K bowler Umar Nazir, who stands at 6’4”. The result was a top edge that led to a catch on the offside.
Rohit’s dismissal mirrored his earlier one at the MCG, where he lost his wicket attempting a similar shot against Pat Cummins. Rohit’s struggle continued as he was dismissed for just 3 runs off 19 balls. His average has now dropped to 10.43 over his last 16 innings, which is concerning for the Indian captain.
Shubman Gill's Misery Run Continues
Shubman Gill returned to lead Punjab but lasted a mere 4 runs off 8 balls. The newly appointed Indian Vice Captain has been having a tough time recently, failing to convert starts into significant scores. This time, his aggressive intent was short-lived, and it was disheartening for Punjab fans, as the entire batting lineup crumbled for just 55 runs against Karnataka. Gill’s return was not as sweet as planned, and fans are now hoping for a better performance in the second innings.
Rishabh Pant Threw His Wicket
Rishabh Pant was included in the Delhi squad but chose to decline the captaincy, allowing Ayush Badoni to take the role. Unfortunately, his performance on the field was equally disappointing, as he was dismissed for just 1 run off 10 balls. Despite trying to play his natural game, he fell to Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who notably had a five-wicket haul in the same match against Delhi.
Shreyas Iyer Sudden Drop in Form
Shreyas Iyer, who has been regularly playing in the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai and had been in good form, experienced a sudden drop in performance. After being selected for the Champion Trophy squad, he failed to deliver in this innings for Mumbai. After the team struggled, finding themselves at 30/3, Shreyas opted for an aggressive approach rather than playing a steady innings. Although he hit a four and a six, he was dismissed cheaply for 11 runs off just 7 balls, which contributed to a mini collapse as the lower middle order also started losing wickets quickly.
Overall, the top six batters for the Indian team heading into the 2025 Champion Trophy failed to make a mark in their recent outing. This is concerning for fans who expect their stars to perform well. Fortunately, these players still have one more inning to redeem themselves for the domestic trophy, and we will wait to see how they perform in the coming matches.
Indian Stars Struggle in Ranji Trophy: Big Names Fail to Fire with Low Scores
- Rishabh Pant: 1
- Rohit Sharma: 3
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 4
- Shubman Gill: 4
- Shreyas Iyer: 11
- Ajinkya Rahane: 13
- Shivam Dube: 0
