Rohit Sharma to create history as first Indian captain in 17 years to play Ranji Trophy
Mumbai: Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team captain, is set to feature in a Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai against Jammu & Kashmir at the BKC Ground on 23 January. The 37-year-old joins the Mumbai squad alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.
This appearance will mark a historic moment as Rohit becomes the first Indian Test captain since Anil Kumble in 2007 to participate in a Ranji Trophy match. Kumble represented Karnataka in a game against Himachal Pradesh, while Rahul Dravid also featured in the same match.
In addition, Virat Kohli is set to return to domestic cricket, playing for Delhi against Railways on 30 January. Rishabh Pant will also rejoin Delhi's squad for their match against Saurashtra, aiming to play a significant role.
Rohit's participation in the Ranji Trophy comes just ahead of India's ICC Champions Trophy campaign.
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Opposition raking up Dalit CM issue to divert attention: Karnataka Minister
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday accused the opposition of "unnecessarily stoking" the debate over a Dalit Chief Minister to deflect attention from governance.
He asserted that only the Congress has the commitment to elevate a Dalit leader to the top post.
Speaking to reporters here, Parameshwara said the ongoing discussion on a Dalit Chief Minister was being amplified by opposition parties.
“This is the work of the opposition. To hide their own failures, they are raising the issue of the Chief Minister. Isn’t the administration running smoothly? Isn’t the Chief Minister governing?” he asked.
The Minister noted that for the past 10–12 days, detailed budget discussions had been held across departments and governance was progressing normally.
Parameshwara, who is a Dalit, said the Congress alone had the history and political will to make a Dalit Chief Minister.
“Yes, it must be the Congress party. Who else will do it?” he said, while clarifying that the timing of any such decision would be determined by the party high command.
On Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s media statement targeting the JD(S) and invoking social justice, Parameshwara said Siddaramaiah had earlier been part of the JD(S) and even served as its president before being expelled.
He noted that the internal history of that party was best known to those within it and declined to comment on specific internal matters.
Defending the Chief Minister’s ideological position, Parameshwara said Siddaramaiah’s politics had always been rooted in social justice and that there was nothing new or opportunistic about his stance.
The Chief Minister, he said, had consistently built his political career on that foundation.
