Rohit Sharma hints at reversing T20I retirement, all set to return to T20s after Test retirement

One of India's greatest T20I batters of all time, Rohit Sharma, announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game following India's triumph in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. However, he has now hinted otherwise with his desire to feature in SMAT knockouts for his domestic side, Mumbai.

Mumbai has been dominating the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, as they are undefeated four games into the season. They are among the three teams from different groups to have not lost a game until now, with Rajasthan and Jharkhand being the other two from Group D.

Rohit Sharma, the former Indian captain, on the other hand, is featuring for Team India in the ODI series against South Africa as he continues to thrive and work hard to maintain his supremacy at the top of the Indian innings to keep his spot until the 2027 World Cup.

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Rohit Sharma ready to play for Mumbai in SMAT knockouts

After having retired from both T20Is and Test cricket, Indian legend Rohit Sharma was urged to feature in the domestic one-day tournament, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, to supply him with more gametime. This proposition was given by Ajit Agarkar due to India's limited schedule in the 50-over format.

Rohit has likely confirmed his availability to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but in a shocking development, he has now shown interest in featuring in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockout games for Mumbai. Having retired from international T20s, this seemed a shocking move from the former Indian captain.

However, the Times of India have reported that the Indian batter wants to represent his side, Mumbai, in the knockouts of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which starts on the 12th of December. Having won four matches already, they are more likely to make it to the knockouts.

“Rohit has expressed his desire to play for Mumbai in the knockouts of SMAT,” a source in the Mumbai Cricket Association said.

Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube would be leaving Mumbai before the knockouts

Currently, Rohit Sharma is playing the ODI series, which concludes on Saturday, the 6th of December. Mumbai have the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube featuring for them in the SMAT group-stage games.

Surya has also shown some convincing form with the bat, and so did Dube with both bat and ball, ahead of the South Africa tour. India will host South Africa for a T20I series from the 9th of December to the 19th of the same month. Hence, before the SMAT knockouts, SKY and Dube would part ways with the Mumbai team.

Rohit Sharma, hence, can be roped in by the Mumbai team, as he would bring in immense experience as a World Cup-winning skipper of the Indian team.

Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan star with the bat as Mumbai dominate Group A

Mumbai has prospered under the new skipper, Shardul Thakur and has put on an all-round show in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season. The Shardul Thakur-led side also dominated the Ranji Trophy before this.

Ayush Mhatre has been the most dominating performer on the show with two consecutive centuries in the edition, and Sarfaraz Khan made a strong comeback with a century on his return to the SMAT.

Mumbai's spinners, as well as the pacers led by captain Shardul Thakur, have performed stunningly, with Tushar Deshpande and Shivam Dube also having several scalps to their name. With 16 points already, Mumbai are primed to enter the knockouts.

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