Criticism over the absence of Virat and Rohit players in domestic cricket continues to loom over the Indian team, especially following their 0-3 series loss to New Zealand. Many experts believe Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could have gained valuable experience by participating in tournaments like the Duleep Trophy, and some have even suggested they join the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif echoed this sentiment, urging top players to forgo luxuries like big cars, flights, and VIP perks to return to domestic cricket.
Delhi is set to play an away match against Chandigarh, while Mumbai will host Odisha in the upcoming Ranji Trophy fixtures. With the Indian team not departing for Australia until later this week, Mohammad Kaif believes that some senior players should seize the opportunity to participate in these domestic games.
Experts Urge Kohli and Rohit to Prioritize Domestic Cricket Over Luxuries
“They need to regain form, and spending time at the crease is essential,” Kaif said in a social media video. “If they can score a century, it will boost their morale significantly.” His remarks underline the value of domestic cricket in helping players find their rhythm before major international tours.
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Kaif also drew attention to Rishabh Pant’s inspiring example from the 2020 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Pant joined the Indian squad after a century in a practice match and played a pivotal role in their historic victory in Australia.
Kaif recalled Rishabh Pant’s performance during the Australia tour, highlighting how Pant’s journey there mirrored the potential path for other players. Although Pant wasn’t initially part of the ODI or T20 squads, he joined the Test squad as a backup to Wriddhiman Saha. After India’s infamous “36 all out” loss, Pant was called up to play. His turning point, Kaif noted, was scoring a century in a Pink Ball practice match on the tour, which transformed his form and ultimately led to his game-winning knock in the iconic Gabba Test.
Kaif has urged senior players like Kohli and Rohit to adopt a similar approach if they want to regain form, advising them to return to domestic cricket without focusing on luxuries.
“Anyone struggling to find rhythm or lacking game time should absolutely play domestic cricket,” Kaif stated. “Forget the big cars, flights, and VIP treatment. If you want to regain form, you need to put in the effort where it counts.”
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