**Rohit, Kohli and Other National Team Players Advised to Play Upcoming Ranji Game**
In a move aimed at bolstering the country’s red-ball cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed several national team players to participate in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. This directive, issued during a recent review meeting, targets leading batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, among others, who have been struggling with form and technical deficiencies in recent Test series.
The decision is part of a broader strategy to ensure that players committed to red-ball cricket engage in domestic matches to regain their confidence and skills. The BCCI has emphasized that those who are available and committed to playing red-ball cricket must participate in the Ranji Trophy, citing the importance of match practice over simulated sessions.
Virat Kohli, who last played a Ranji Trophy match in November 2012, and Rohit Sharma, who last represented Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in 2015, are among the senior players who have been advised to return to domestic cricket. Both players have been under scrutiny following their poor performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where India suffered a 1-3 defeat.
The BCCI’s directive is not merely a suggestion but a requirement, with players expected to provide valid medical or fitness reasons if they choose to skip the Ranji Trophy. This stance is consistent with the board’s previous actions, such as when Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan lost their central contracts last year for failing to heed advice on playing domestic cricket.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has also weighed in on the issue, stating that all players should play domestic cricket if they are available and committed to red-ball cricket. Gambhir’s comments follow India’s recent Test series loss in Australia, where technical deficiencies and lack of match practice were highlighted as contributing factors.
The upcoming Ranji Trophy matches, set to resume on January 23, will provide an opportunity for players like Kohli and Rohit to regain their form and confidence. The tournament will precede India’s white-ball series against England, which is scheduled to kick off on February 6. This period of domestic cricket will be crucial for players as they transition from the grueling Test season to the more demanding white-ball format.
KL Rahul, another senior player, has opted for rest and will skip the Ranji Trophy matches. Despite his decision, Rahul is confirmed to be named in the ODI squad for the England series and the Champions Trophy. The selectors have chosen to prioritize his involvement in the white-ball format, particularly given the upcoming Champions Trophy and the 2025 T20 World Cup.
The BCCI’s emphasis on domestic cricket reflects a broader concern about the utility of match practice in modern-day cricket. With increasingly congested schedules and the IPL window expanding, players have been wary of risking injury by playing on domestic turf. However, the board’s stance underscores the importance of red-ball cricket in developing skills and regaining confidence.
In summary, the BCCI’s directive to national team players to participate in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches is a significant move aimed at strengthening India’s red-ball cricket. By mandating participation from senior players like Kohli and Rohit, the board aims to ensure that these cricketers regain their form and skills, ultimately benefiting the national team in the long run. The success of this initiative will be closely watched as India prepares for its upcoming series against England and beyond.
