India captain Rohit Sharma was a star attraction during the Ranji Trophy 2024 Final match between Mumbai and Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium on March 12, Tuesday. Before joining the Mumbai Indians training camp for the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League, Rohit was spotted inside the Mumbai team’s dressing room.
A man of his word, Rohit, who has been promoting the importance of domestic cricket along with the BCCI and the team management, marked his presence during the Ranji Trophy final. Instead of opting for a much-needed break between the IPL and the 5-match Test series against England, the Indian skipper came to support the players. Rohit, who represents Mumbai, would be happy with the team’s performance. His teammates, Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer, scored 73 and 95 each. 19-year-old Musheer Khan stood out with the bat with his 136-run knock as Mumbai were on course to set a massive fourth innings target for Vidarbha.
The Indian cricket board has been intensifying its push toward making red-ball cricket a more lucrative option for players.
Recently, BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, announced an incentive scheme. The skipper lauded BCCI’s efforts for rewarding the cricketers and keeping Test cricket as priority. The scheme aimed at providing financial growth and stability to the players. The Indian cricketers who play more than 75% of the Test matches will get Rs 45 lakh (as playing XI incentive) and Rs 22.5 lakh (as non-playing incentive) per match as additional match fee.
Rohit set a great example as a leader during the Test series, scoring 400 runs in India’s 4-1 triumph against England. The 35-year-old led from the front with 2 centuries at an average of 44.44 in 9 innings to his name.
As the focus shifts from Test cricket to India’s biggest T20 carnival, Rohit will be seen in a new avatar this time. Rohit will take the field as a player for the Mumbai Indians after Hardik Pandya replaced him as the captain. This move brought an end to the 10-year-old legacy of Rohit’s captaincy, who led the team to 5 title wins. Mumbai Indians will face Gujarat Giants at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 24, Sunday.
