Rohit Sharma ready to play for Mumbai in SMAT knockouts:T20 World Cup 5-time IPL-winning captain likely to feature in domestic T20 league- Report

Rohit Sharma, despite retiring from T20Is, wants to play for Mumbai in the knockout stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). The knockout matches of India’s domestic T20 cricket competition will be held in Indore from 12-18 December. IND vs SA last ODI match on December 6 The 38-year-old, a T20 World Cup-winning captain and a five-time IPL-winning leader, is currently with Team India for the ODI series against South Africa, which concludes on Saturday (December 6). With Mumbai unbeaten in four league matches in Lucknow and topping Elite Group A with 16 points, their place in the knockouts is almost sealed. Also Read | ICC takes action against Harshit Rana MCA confirms communication A senior Mumbai Cricket Association official told TOI that Rohit has already expressed his desire to join the squad for the business end of the tournament. BCCI’s domestic mandate Earlier this year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made it compulsory for India players to participate in domestic cricket when not on national duty or recovering from injury. Shubman Gill appointed India’s ODI captain Meanwhile, Shubman Gill was appointed India’s ODI captain with the selectors and the management aiming at the 2027 ODI World Cup and Rohit set to turn 40 by the time the tournament begins in South Africa. Also Read | Virat Kohli jumps to fourth spot in ICC ODI rankings With Rohit and Virat Kohli having already retired from Tests and T20Is and a limited number of ODIs from now to the 50-overs World Cup, the decision should also be viewed as their commitment to stay match-ready for the marquee event. Earlier, Virat Kohli had made himself available for Delhi for the Vijay Hazare tournament, the domestic ODI cricket competition. With Rohit reportedly expressing his willingness to play SMAT, it seems like the Hitman too would compete in the Vijay Hazare tournament.