Rohit Sharma will feature in a historic Ranji Trophy clash against Jammu & Kashmir starting from January 23. The match will take place at the BKC Ground.

Ajinkya Rahane will captain the Mumbai side and Rohit will open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. This is the first time in the last 17 years that an Indian Test captain will feature in a Ranji Trophy game. The move came after BCCI made it mandatory for cricketers to take part in domestic matches in a bid to remain eligible for selection.

Rohit faced a lot of criticism for his performance in red-ball cricket and his underwhelming display in the Border Gavaskar Trophy intensified further scrutiny on the 37 year old. However, ahead of the Ranji Trophy clash against J&K, Rahane backed Rohit to do well in the domestic clash.

As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo he said, "What is important is he is hungry, he is determined to do well.

"I am sure once he gets in, he will get a big one.

"He batted really well yesterday [in] a couple of [net] sessions, so it's part and parcel of a player's career. I am really confident about Rohit.

"Rohit has always been relaxed. Even playing at the international level, his character is similar. His attitude is pretty much relaxed. He knows his game really well so, no one has to tell him what he needs to do.

"Once he gets in, I'm sure he will do well. He has never changed, which is a very good thing."

Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ayush Mhatre, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhesh Lad, Shivam Dube, Hardik Tamore (wk), Akash Anand (wk), Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Awasthi, Sylvester Dsouza, Royston Dias, Karsh Kothari.

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