WATCH: Loyal fans welcome Rohit Sharma with 'Mumbai Cha Raja' chants during Ranji Trophy game

India's ODI and Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has a sizable fan base, as demonstrated on Thursday, January 23, the first day of Mumbai's ongoing 2024–25 Ranji Trophy match versus Jammu & Kashmir at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in BKC, Mumbai.

After winning the toss, Mumbai decided to bat, but their innings got off to a bad start as they lost both of their openers, Rohit Sharma (3) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (4), early on. Ajinkya Rahane (12), wicketkeeper-batter Hardik Tamore (7), and important batsman Shreyas Iyer (11) were all removed with little opposition, indicating that the middle order also had trouble.

Rohit Sharma, who is making his Ranji Trophy comeback for the first time since 2015, got off to a rough start after being removed for just three runs off 19 balls. Nevertheless, Rohit's devoted supporters never wavered, and later in the day, the crowd burst into cries of "Mumbai cha raja, Rohit Sharma" as he made his way to the boundary to field.

Watch the video here:

Crowd cheering "Mumbai Cha Raja Rohit Sharma" at BKC during Ranji Trophy. ⭐

- Ro, an emotion...!!! pic.twitter.com/qFA0tjchGM

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 23, 2025

A remarkable turn of events occurred on the first day of the Mumbai vs. Jammu & Kashmir Ranji Trophy match. With top-order players like Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer struggling, Mumbai was bowled out for a mere 120 after starting the match batting first on a seaming surface. Shardul Thakur was the only one with a score of 51. At 174/7, Jammu & Kashmir concluded the day, laying the groundwork for a thrilling Day 2.

Rohit Sharma will be back in action for India during ODI series

Rohit Sharma came out with a positive frame of mind in the second innings against Jammu and Kashmir but fell pray to an outstanding catch as the Mumbai batter departed for 28 off 34 balls and couldn't put up a big total and ended the Ranji Trophy clash on a disappointing note. For a change, he looked in ominous touch and played some aggressive shots to rattle the bowlers.

When the Indian team plays England in a three-match ODI series that begins in Nagpur on February 6, Rohit Sharma will serve as captain. Then, starting on February 19, he will captain India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Even though Pakistan will host the competition, India's matches will be held in Dubai at a neutral location.