Ranji Trophy: Why Umar Nazir didn't celebrate after dismissing Rohit Sharma

January 23 was a momentous day for Jammu and Kashmir pacer Umar Nazir, who managed to dismiss Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma during a Ranji Trophy match. Rohit, who appeared out of touch, misread the bounce of a length ball from Nazir and top-edged it, handing an easy catch to Paras Dogra. Despite the magnitude of the dismissal, Nazir chose not to celebrate—a gesture that intrigued fans and commentators alike.

Speaking to the media at the end of Day 1, Nazir explained his decision. “The first thought in my mind was... I am a big fan of Rohit, and that is why I didn’t celebrate after taking his wicket today. If we win this game, it would be a proud moment because India’s captain is playing in the opposition,” he said.

Nazir went on to have an impactful day with the ball, claiming four wickets in total, including those of seasoned players like Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube. When asked about his mindset going into such a high-stakes game, he shared, “I slept off at 10 pm last night and woke up around 7 am and was relaxed. A good ball is a good ball against any player, you don’t look at the stature of the player, but Rohit Sharma’s wicket is a big one, I am happy.”

Mumbai’s Struggles

Mumbai endured a batting collapse against Jammu and Kashmir, managing only 120 runs in their first innings. The decision to bring in experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to pay off as the team was reduced to 47/7 within the first 20 overs.

Shardul Thakur was the only batter who put up a fight, scoring a gritty half-century that saved Mumbai from an even worse total. Nazir, however, was the star of the day, consistently troubling Mumbai’s lineup with his precision and discipline.

For Umar Nazir, dismissing his idol Rohit Sharma was a career-defining moment, but his humility and respect for the game shone through as much as his bowling skills. His performance serves as a reminder of the sportsmanship and dedication that make cricket more than just a contest.

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