Rohit Sharma was urged to take a step back and play in the Ranji Trophy to rediscover his form. But the India skipper's return to the state side after a decade did not end well with hosts Mumbai suffering a defeat to Jammu & Kashmir.

Sharma's presence on the Mumbai side brought many fans to the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy Ground, BKC, and some even invaded the pitch to get closer to the World Cup-winning captain. Sharma, who has been struggling at the international level, could only manage 31 runs from two innings on his Ranji return.

However, J&K went about their business well, sealing a 5-wicket win on the penultimate day to almost confirm their spot in the knockouts. J&K have 29 points from six games to lead group A, with a match against Baroda remaining, from which they need just a point to advance.

Besides Sharma, who captains India in Tests and ODIs, the Mumbai XI comprised former national captain Ajinkya Rahane, star batter Shreyas Iyer, ICC Test Team of the Year 2024 member Yashasvi Jaiswal, IPL star Shivam Dube and seasoned all-rounder Shardul Thakur.

On the final day, Shams Mulani was the pick of the Mumbai bowling unit with 4/54 from his 15 overs, but Shardul Thakur, who was the hero in Mumbai's second innings, with a century, could not replicate his success with the bat in the bowling department.

Brief scores: Mumbai 120 & 290 (Shardul Thakur 119, Tanush Kotian 62, Auqib Nabi 4/80, Yudhvir Singh 3/63) lost to J&K 206 & 207/5 (Shubham Khajuria 45, Vivrant Sharma 38, Abid Mushtaq 32 not out, Shams Mulani 4/54)

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