Rohit Sharma’s much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy turned out to be an underwhelming one as he was dismissed cheaply for just 3 runs off 19 balls against Jammu & Kashmir on January 23 at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Mumbai. The India captain, who has been in red-hot form for the national team, struggled to find his rhythm in this domestic fixture. Facing a good length delivery from right-arm seamer Umar Nazir Mir, Sharma tried to pull it but ended up edging the ball to mid-on, where he was caught in the field. It was a disappointing moment for the Mumbai batsman, who had hoped for a strong comeback in the prestigious domestic tournament.
Umar Nazir Mir, the Jammu & Kashmir seamer, continued his excellent bowling display with a series of wickets that rattled the Mumbai top order. He followed up his dismissal of Rohit Sharma by claiming the prized scalp of Ajinkya Rahane, knocking over his stumps. To add to Mumbai’s woes, he also trapped Hardik Tamore LBW for just 7 runs. But the devastation didn’t stop there—Mir’s relentless spell claimed another victim in Shivam Dube, who was dismissed for a duck off just three balls. At this stage, Mumbai was reeling at 41/5 in just 14.5 overs, a precarious position that highlighted their batting vulnerabilities.
Mir finished the day with an exceptional bowling performance, claiming 4 wickets for 41 runs in 11 overs, helping to bowl Mumbai out for a mere 120 runs. His stellar performance was a testament to his bowling prowess, with the ball swinging and seaming in favorable conditions. The 31-year-old Mir, who has been in red-hot form this season, was the standout performer of the day and his efforts were key in leaving Mumbai in a dire position, struggling to rebuild their innings.
This four-wicket haul was the fifth such instance in Mir’s first-class career. Over the course of his career, he has firmly established himself as one of Jammu & Kashmir's most reliable bowlers. He has been especially impressive in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, where he has taken 15 wickets across three matches (five innings), maintaining an outstanding average of 9.93 and a miserly economy rate of 2.93. His best figures this season were a remarkable 6/53 against Services, showing his ability to deliver match-winning performances when his team needs him the most.
Umar’s rise in first-class cricket has been gradual but steady. He made his debut for Jammu & Kashmir in December 2013 and since then has played 57 first-class matches, claiming 138 wickets at an average of 29.12, with six five-wicket hauls to his name. In List A cricket, he has played 36 matches, picking up 54 wickets at an average of 28.83, and has also been a key performer in T20s, with 32 wickets from 24 innings at an average of 19.40. His T20 bowling has been particularly effective, with an economy rate of 7.16, showing that he can adapt to various formats of the game.
One of his standout performances in T20 cricket came in January 2017 during the Inter-State T20 tournament, where he claimed 4 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs against Punjab, playing a crucial role in his team defending a modest total of 127 runs. This performance further highlighted his ability to rise to the occasion and put in match-winning displays when needed.
Looking ahead, Umar will be eager to carry on his good form and help Jammu & Kashmir in their pursuit of success in the Ranji Trophy. His current form makes him one of the most feared bowlers in the competition, and his performances will be critical in helping his team qualify for the knockouts. His consistency and ability to take wickets in pressure situations will make him a key player for his team in the remainder of the season. If he continues to bowl as he has been, he will likely be one of the standout performers of the season, and a key asset for Jammu & Kashmir in their quest for silverware.
For Rohit Sharma and Mumbai, the task will now be to regroup after this early collapse and focus on bouncing back. With several more rounds to go in the Ranji Trophy, it will be important for Mumbai’s senior players like Sharma, Rahane, and Dube to find form and help their team recover from this disappointing start. The match has, however, highlighted the crucial role of bowlers like Umar Nazir Mir in the Ranji Trophy, showing that exceptional individual performances can shape the course of a game and lead to unexpected outcomes.
