Recently, a significant discussion has emerged in Indian cricket, where experts and former cricketers have urged Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to participate in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. This debate gained momentum after their poor performances and a slump in form following the Australian tour. The second phase of the Ranji Trophy will begin on January 23, and it is seen as an important opportunity for Kohli and Rohit to regain their form.
The Loss in Australia and the Need for Change in Test Cricket’s Direction
India recently lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3, marking their first defeat in eight years. After this loss, cricket experts emphasized the need for India to focus on Test cricket, despite their success in white-ball formats. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif, in this context, said, “We will earn praise on February 23 by beating Pakistan in white-ball cricket, but if we want to win the World Test Championship (WTC), we need to focus on Test cricket and for that, participating in domestic cricket is crucial.”
Kaif’s Message: Domestic Cricket is Essential for Success in Test Cricket
Kaif also pointed out that despite India’s success in white-ball cricket, the team needs to put in as much effort and preparation for Test cricket. He emphasized that if India wants to succeed in the WTC, players must practice on turning tracks in India and seaming tracks in countries like Australia and South Africa. This makes participation in domestic cricket indispensable. He clarified that without involvement in Ranji Trophy, players’ chances of succeeding in Test cricket will be limited.
Questions Around Kohli and Rohit’s Participation in Ranji Trophy
Currently, there is no official confirmation regarding Kohli and Rohit’s participation in the Ranji Trophy. Kaif acknowledged that due to the national teamтАЩs busy schedule, players often prefer rest. Specifically, in February, India will play a white-ball series against England, followed by the Champions Trophy and then the IPL. Hence, it might be challenging for Kohli and Rohit to participate in the Ranji Trophy.
Kohli and Rohit’s Performance and the Importance of Domestic Cricket
Kohli’s performance has been below average in recent years, with only 190 runs in nine innings during the Australian tour, including a century. On the other hand, Rohit’s performance was even worse, scoring just 31 runs with an average of 6.20, the lowest by a touring captain. In this context, Kaif believes that this is a wake-up call for Indian cricket, and now the team needs to focus more on Test cricket.
Kohli and Rohit’s Absence from Ranji Trophy and Its Causes
Kohli and Rohit were also absent from the first phase of the Ranji season, and they faced criticism for it. Additionally, they skipped the Duleep Trophy in September, when the Test series was about to begin. This raises the question of whether these senior players should now participate in the Ranji Trophy to regain their form and help India achieve success in the upcoming World Test Championship.
Conclusion: Participation in Ranji Trophy is Crucial for Success in Test Cricket
In conclusion, Kaif emphasized that India needs to focus on preparing for Test cricket, and participation in domestic cricket is vital for this preparation. Kohli and Rohit, along with other senior players, should consider participating in the Ranji Trophy to strengthen their form, so that India can achieve success in Test cricket and be in a strong position for the upcoming WTC cycle.
