Bhubaneswar: The former India captain, named in Mumbai’s squad for the first two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, trained at the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) Academy on Tuesday, drawing attention from fans and young cricketers alike. Dressed in Mumbai’s grey kit, the senior batter spent time mentoring youngsters and signing autographs during the practice session.
Mumbai are scheduled to open their campaign against Sikkim on Wednesday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, with free entry for spectators from 9 am. They will next face Uttarakhand on December 26. The match against Sikkim will mark the star batter’s return to List A cricket for the first time since 2022.
His inclusion comes amid the BCCI’s renewed push for senior international players to feature regularly in domestic white-ball tournaments to strengthen the competitive structure and inspire emerging talent.
The presence of the world’s No. 1 ODI batter has generated considerable buzz among cricket fans in Jaipur, many of whom hailed him as a role model and a major draw for the tournament. However, a section of local observers played down the hype, suggesting that domestic cricket should focus more on team balance and opportunities for younger players.
Regardless of mixed reactions, Mumbai’s opening fixture is expected to attract significant interest, with all eyes on the former skipper’s return to the domestic 50-over format.
-OdishaAge
