MUMBAI, Jan 22: Rohit Sharma doesn’t require guidance about his performance, and according to Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane, he is set to deliver a “big one once he settles in.” Rahane expressed his support for the struggling Indian captain on Wednesday, ahead of Rohit’s first Ranji Trophy appearance in almost ten years.
The spotlight will be on Rohit and his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal as defending champions Mumbai take on Jammu and Kashmir at the BKC Ground starting Thursday.
“Rohit is Rohit. We all recognize that. Aapko bhi pata hai Rohit ka character (You also know Rohit’s character). I’m truly delighted to have both of them back in the Mumbai dressing room,” Rahane stated to the media during Mumbai’s training session on Wednesday.
“Rohit has always maintained a composed demeanor. His temperament remains the same even at the international level. He understands his game thoroughly, so there’s no need for anyone to instruct him on what to do.
“Once he finds his rhythm, I’m confident he will excel. He has consistently been the same, which is a great trait,” Rahane noted.
Recently, the 37-year-old Rohit has struggled with form, especially after Test defeats against New Zealand (at home) and Australia (away), which have weighed on him.
Rahane pointed out that every player experiences fluctuations in form but emphasized that Rohit is “truly confident.”
“What matters is his hunger and determination to succeed. I’m sure that once he gets settled in, he will make a significant score,” said the veteran, who has played alongside Rohit for India.
“He performed really well yesterday (in) a couple of sessions, and it’s all a part of a player’s career journey. I have complete faith in Rohit,” he added.
However, Rahane mentioned that the match starting Thursday might be the only one Rohit participates in this season.
Rohit is set to captain India against England in a three-match ODI series starting February 6, followed by the Champions Trophy.
“I believe he’s only available for this game; the next game is uncertain. His contributions over the next four days will be crucial,” Rahane remarked.
Jaiswal’s Determination
Rahane praised Jaiswal for demonstrating the determination that has fueled his success at the international level.
“In the past couple of years, he has delivered impressive performances for the Indian team and prior to that, he excelled for Mumbai as well,” he noted.
“Having a player like Yashasvi in the team, who is eager and determined to score runs, is beneficial. This mentality will greatly influence the younger players in the dressing room,” Rahane continued.
He commended both Rohit and Jaiswal for sharing their knowledge with fellow Mumbai teammates.
“As a team, players are approaching them for advice, learning from their experiences. Once on the field, I’m sure that players will observe and learn a lot from them,” Rahane added.
When questioned if Rohit and Jaiswal would open for Mumbai, Rahane humorously responded, “Is this even a question?”
“For any cricketer, getting match preparation and game time is vital. While there’s no red-ball (Test) cricket at the moment, they will be participating in white-ball competitions,” he stated.
Rahane remained confident that Mumbai would quickly regain their momentum following their time spent in white-ball formats.
The teams played five Ranji league matches before engaging in white-ball tournaments, such as the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and the Vijay Hazare ODI Trophy. The Ranji season is now resuming its second and final leg.
“The challenge is to adapt swiftly as a team as everyone has been playing white-ball cricket for the past month and a half. For us as a team, it’s crucial to remain focused and grounded in the moment,” Rahane explained.
“In red-ball cricket, we have been performing well collectively, so it’s all about staying present and not overthinking the outcomes,” he concluded. (Agencies)
