The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has definitely cracked the whip on senior cricketers in the Indian side. After India’s dismal showing in the five-match Test series against Australia which they lost 3-1 and a 3-0 whitewash in Tests at home against New Zealand, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar has made it mandatory to play domestic cricket.
On Tuesday, Indian captain Rohit Sharma trained with Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad while Shubman Gill’s participation in the next round of Ranji Trophy 2025 has also been confirmed by Punjab. On two Delhi stalwarts – Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant – have also been included in the probables list.
Former India captain Kohli last played in Ranji Trophy back in 2012, when late Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma has urged Virat Kohli to take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and participate in domestic tournaments for Delhi whenever possible.
Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been named in Delhi’s probable squad for the final two rounds of the Ranji Trophy. “Both Virat and Rishabh are in the probable list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway,” Sharma told The Indian Express newspaper.
“Virat should draw inspiration from the culture in Mumbai, where India players regularly participate in Ranji matches whenever they are available. This culture is missing in the North, especially in Delhi,” he added.
VIRAT KOHLI & RISHABH PANT IN RANJI TROPHY – DDCA Secretary confirms that Both Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant’s names are in the Delhi probable list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway. (The Indian Express). pic.twitter.com/sUfFvs4cKR
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 14, 2025
Sharma pointed out that the BCCI encourages national players to feature in domestic cricket. “I feel Virat and Rishabh should play at least one game, but I doubt they will,” he added.
Kohli’s recent performances have raised concerns. After scoring a century in the second innings of the first Test in Perth, his subsequent scores in the series were underwhelming: 7, 11, 3, 37, 5, 17, and 6.
DDCA president Rohan Jaitley also emphasized the importance of Kohli and Pant participating in the Ranji Trophy but acknowledged the complexities involved. “They should play, but there are many moving parts. With the volume of cricket they are playing, maintaining peak fitness is crucial. Multiple factors, including load management, need to be considered,” Jaitley said in the Indian Express report.
He reiterated that participating in domestic cricket should remain a top priority for players. “It is exceptionally important. If they’re on national duty, it’s understandable, but otherwise, domestic cricket should be prioritized. Players are managed by the NCA and national selectors, who factor in load management, but domestic cricket is vital,” he added.
Kohli last represented Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in 2012. When asked whether the DDCA has reached out to Kohli, Jaitley explained, “The selectors and the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) handle coordination. They are better equipped to provide updates on that.”
Delhi’s final two Ranji Trophy matches begin on January 23 against Saurashtra in Rajkot, followed by their last group match against Railways at Arun Jaitley Stadium on January 30.
Jaitley also highlighted the impact of Kohli’s presence on Delhi’s young players. “It’s not just about the game but also about what players learn from sharing a dressing room with someone like Virat. It’s a tremendous opportunity for up-and-coming cricketers to gain insights from his experience. Similar to how young lawyers learn from senior advocates, players can absorb invaluable lessons just by being around such a seasoned professional,” he concluded.
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