“Go into the Bangladesh series without much match practice” – Sunil Gavaskar disagrees with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli skipping Duleep Trophy
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has raised concerns regarding the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Duleep Trophy ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Gavaskar reckons that they should have been picked for the domestic games to get some game time and maintain their fitness levels ahead of the upcoming Test season.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the players in their mid-30s need to keep their standards to avoid weakening muscle memory. He, however, backed the BCCI for resting Jasprit Bumrah.
Gavaskar wrote in his mid-day column (via Hindustan Times):
“The selectors have not picked the skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the Duleep Trophy, so they will most likely go into the Bangladesh Test series without much match practice.”
“While it’s understandable that somebody like Jasprit Bumrah with his delicate back needs to be handled with care, the batters could have done with some batting time out in the middle. Once a player hits the mid-thirties in any sport, then regular competition will help him maintain the high standards he has set. When there’s a longish gap then the muscle memory weakens somewhat and to get back to the high standards from earlier is not easy,” he added.
Notably, Kohli and Rohit played their last domestic games in 2012 and 2016, respectively. The two players returned with contrasting performances in the recently concluded three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka. Rohit returned with scores of 58, 64, and 35, while Kohli managed 24, 14, and 20 in his three outings.
Virat Kohli, in particular, also skipped the five-match Test series against England earlier this year. He scored 46 and 12 in his previous Test against South Africa in Newlands in January 2024.
“In Australia and England, every international player does not play domestic cricket” – Jay Shah on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested for Duleep Trophy
BCCI secretary Jay Shah recently said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been rested for the Duleep Trophy to avoid injury ahead of the Test season. He took the example of Australia and England players to justify their absence.
Shah told ANI (via The Times of India):
"We should not insist on players like Rohit and Virat to play in the Duleep Trophy. They will risk injury. If you have noticed, in Australia and England, every international player does not play domestic cricket. We have to treat the players with respect."
Interestingly, England captain Ben Stokes recently played for Durham in the County Championships. Meanwhile, Australia skipper Pat Cummins will reportedly play in the Sheffield Shield to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.