Rohit Sharma shouldn’t open for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy, and these are the reasons

Rohit Sharma has never opened for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in 42 matches, but will do so in the clash vs Jammu & Kashmir.

First there were questions if India skipper Rohit Sharma would play in the Ranji Trophy, and then there were questions over his batting order, and if he would open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. On Wednesday, captain Ajinkya Rahane ended all doubts over it, on the eve of the Mumbai vs J&K match, where reporters asked him if Rohit would open the batting or not. Rahane curtly replied, ““is this even a question?”

Rohit Sharma Has Never Opened in Ranji Trophy

But then there are more than one reasons why Rohit Sharma should not open in the Ranji Trophy. Firstly, in his 42-match Ranji career, he has never opened for his state. He averages a massive 72 in them, with 3892 runs with 14 tons and 15 fifties. He has batted right from No. 3 to No. 6-7 in his 60-inning stint, but never got a chance to be the No. 1 or No. 2 in his team.

Of course, his form has been a major worry during the IND vs AUS series, where he only scored 31 runs at an average of 6, and opened only in the Sydney Test, but then now, at 37, he might not be the best bet against the moving red ball. That means, Rohit will be in the firing line of J&K pacer Aaquib Nabi, who has bagged 32 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 11. There is also Yudhvir Singh, who in 5 matches has 15 wickets. Not to forget, veteran Umar Nazir will be in the mix too, who in just two matches has picked up 11 wickets.

Might Not Open in Tests for India Now

Next, if Rohit is to open, then one of Ayush Mhatre or Angkrish Raghuvanshi miss out on their regular position, or even a spot in the team. Mhatre has scored 408 runs in 5 matches at an average of 45. And Raghuvanshi has scored 182 runs in 3 matches, at an average of 45 as well.

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Perhaps, the most important point here is after dismal show in Tests as an opener, his chance at the top of the order in the national team must be gone. KL Rahul right now could be a better choice. Rohit, after flop shows vs NZ and AUS only averages 43 as opener now in 18 matches.