Defending Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir bowled out Madhya Pradesh for 196 on the opening day of their 2026-27 season at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. Rohit Sharma made a significant return to first-class cricket, claiming five wickets for 36 runs in 21.2 overs, his first Ranji appearance since October 2024.
Sharma’s performance stood out as he dismantled the Madhya Pradesh batting lineup, earning his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Before this match, he had played 22 first-class games and taken 39 wickets at an average of 34.66. His last outing in the competition saw him go wicketless against Services, making this comeback all the more notable.
Left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar supported Sharma’s effort by taking four wickets, while Auqib Nabi chipped in with one for 42. Madhya Pradesh’s innings was anchored by captain Shubham Sharma, who top-scored with 79 runs, but the rest of the batting order failed to build on his contribution.
Jammu and Kashmir lost just one wicket in reply, reaching 3 for 1 by stumps on Sunday. The defending champions are looking to build on their maiden Ranji Trophy title, won earlier this year, with a strong start to their campaign.
Rohit Sharma’s bowling figures underline his ability to influence matches, despite limited appearances in recent seasons. Alongside his first-class experience, Sharma has played eight List A matches and five T20 games, taking eight wickets across those formats, although he is yet to claim a wicket in T20 cricket.
Earlier this month, Sharma was included in Jammu and Kashmir’s squad for the Irani Cup but did not feature in the playing eleven as Rest of India defeated the hosts by 167 runs in Srinagar. His return to the Ranji Trophy side now signals a renewed role in the team’s bowling attack.
The match continues on Monday with Jammu and Kashmir looking to extend their lead and build on the momentum created by their bowlers on Day 1.
According to Yahoo Sports.