Rohit Sharma takes five wickets on Ranji Trophy comeback as MP bowl out 196

Jammu and Kashmir’s Shubham Khajuria fields during the Ranji Trophy Group A cricket match between Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. (PTI photo) Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir began their 2026-2027 Ranji Trophy campaign with a strong bowling performance as they bowled out Madhya Pradesh for 196 on the opening day of their season at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar on Sunday. J&K made history earlier this year by winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title.The standout performer was fast bowler Rohit Sharma, who returned to the Ranji Trophy side after nearly two years with five wickets. The 32-year-old finished with figures of 5/36 in 21.2 overs, having last played in the competition in October 2024 in a wicketless loss against Services.Left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar also chipped in with four wickets while Auqib Nabi picked up one for 42. Madhya Pradesh were bowled out for 196 with skipper Shubham Sharma top-scoring with 79. J&K lost one wicket to reach 3/1 at stumps on the opening day.Before the match against Madhya Pradesh, Rohit had played 22 first-class matches and had taken 39 wickets at an average of 34.66. This was his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.He also played in eight List A matches and five T20 games, taking a combined eight wickets in both formats. He is yet to take a wicket in T20 cricket.Rohit was also named in Jammu and Kashmir’s squad for the Irani Cup earlier this month but did not feature in the playing eleven as the rest of India secured a 167-run victory in Srinagar.