After more than 9 years, Rohit Sharma returned to the Ranji Trophy, only to be dismissed for 3 runs in the first innings by pacer Umar Nazir Mir.
Umar Nazir Mir, with nearly a decade-long career in first-class cricket, is a dependable figure in the bowling attack of the small Ranji Trophy team Jammu & Kashmir. In his long career, he tasted a memorable moment by taking the prized wicket of Rohit Sharma—India’s national team captain and a global cricket star. Yet, there was no exuberant celebration from him after the dismissal. Why? Because Umar is a big fan of Rohit!
On Thursday, during the first day of the Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai, Umar sent Rohit back to the pavilion. This match marked Rohit’s return to first-class cricket after over nine years, following a lean patch in Test cricket. However, his comeback didn’t go as planned as Umar got the better of him.
Rohit, trying to play an off-stump length ball to the on-side, ended up being caught at mid-off after scoring just 3 runs off 19 balls.
Stars like Rohit rarely get the chance to play in domestic cricket. For domestic players, sharing the field with such icons is a significant moment, let alone taking their wicket—a dream for many.
Even so, Umar didn’t lose himself in an unrestrained celebration. His initial excitement at taking the wicket was evident, but the 31-year-old pacer didn’t overdo it. Speaking to the media at the end of the day, the seasoned player, who has played 58 first-class matches, explained his restraint:
“After taking the wicket, my first thought was… I didn’t celebrate as a fan of Rohit Sharma. Even though I dismissed him, I know how great he is. I am a huge admirer of his.”
“Dismissing an international cricketer is always special. The wicket had some assistance, and I tried to bowl in the right areas. His wicket was crucial for both our team and me.”
Umar and Yudhvir Singh claimed four wickets each, bundling Mumbai out for just 120 runs in their first innings. Alongside Rohit, other stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, and Shivam Dube failed to make an impact. After losing 7 wickets for 47 runs, Mumbai managed to reach 120 thanks to Shardul Thakur’s fifty.
Jammu & Kashmir posted 220 runs in their first innings.
On Friday, during the second innings, Rohit showed signs of returning to form with aggressive batting. However, after smashing three sixes and two fours, his innings ended at 28 when he was dismissed by Yudhvir Singh.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, dismissed for 4 in the first innings, managed 26 this time. Despite a 54-run opening stand, Mumbai struggled, losing Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube to reach 86/5 by lunch on Day 2.
