India’s next Test series is five months away, but the build-up has already begun with speculations surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s participation in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Neither has confirmed their availability for the next round of Ranji matches, whereas youngsters Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant have confirmed the same. Rohit and Kohli’s dwindling forms, lack of runs and uncertain futures have made it almost mandatory for the two superstars of Indian cricket to return to the domestic fold and help their cases.
While Rohit has linked up with the Mumbai team to train, the DDCA is yet to hear back from Kohli. With time running out, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has stressed the importance of playing domestic cricket, serving as a reminder to out-of-form Rohit and Kohli. Yuvraj, who played a reasonable amount of cricket with both, winning the 2007 T20 World Cup with Rohit and the 2011 World Cup with Kohli, reckons that irrespective of a player’s stature, he/she should prioritise domestic cricket whenever possible.
“Domestic cricket is important. I have always felt if you have time and if you are not performing, you should definitely come and play domestic cricket. That is the best way to get practice and game time. I feel domestic cricket is very important if you have the time and if you are not injured,” Yuvraj said at the launch event of the Celebrity Cricket League on Thursday.
Barring Rohit, Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, almost all members of the Indian cricket team have played some form of domestic cricket. Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer have all had decent hitouts in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies.
An injured Mohammed Shami bowled for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and SMAT to attain full fitness and make a comeback into the Indian side for the England T20Is. Even the discarded Ishan Kishan turned up to play in the Buchi Babu Tournament, while youngsters Sarfaraz Khan, Gill and more took part in the Duleep Trophy a couple of months back.
