Amidst the BCCI's mandate for senior players to participate more actively in domestic cricket, India's superstar batter Rohit Sharma has reportedly decided to lead by example. The former India captain has agreed to join the Mumbai squad for the upcoming knockout rounds of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). This decision is particularly notable given that Rohit retired from T20I cricket in June of last year, signaling a commitment to domestic duty despite his international career transition.
Rohit Sharma to play SMAT knockouts for Mumbai
Mumbai had a stellar run in the league stage of the tournament, winning all their matches in Lucknow to finish at the top of the Elite Group A table with a perfect 16 points. They are now securely through to the knockout stage, which is scheduled to take place in Indore between December 12 and 18. Rohit's inclusion will undoubtedly be a major boost for the squad as they seek to win the title.
Currently, Rohit Sharma is engaged in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa at home. According to a TOI report, he will feature in the domestic T20 tournament, traveling directly from Visakhapatnam—the venue for the ODI series decider on December 6—to Indore to join the Mumbai team. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has confirmed his availability, with a source telling a national daily, "He has expressed his desire to play for Mumbai in the knockouts of SMAT."
Domestic return and commitment concerns
Rohit's participation marks a significant return to the domestic T20 competition, as he last played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy nearly fifteen years ago during the 2011/12 season. This decision to play comes at a time when selectors and team management have reportedly expressed concerns regarding the commitment of senior players, specifically Rohit and Virat Kohli, toward the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The management's worry stems from the limited game time the duo will receive leading up to the major ICC tournament, especially after they have both retired from the Test and T20I formats, focusing solely on ODIs. To ensure they remain match-sharp and engaged, the decision-makers have been strongly advocating for both players to feature in domestic cricket. While both cricketers have agreed to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scheduled to begin at the end of December, Rohit went a step further by also opting to join the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts.