Kohli, Rohit, Ashwin Decline Duleep Trophy for ‘Motivation’ Reasons

India’s senior players Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin declined to play the Duleep Trophy due to ‘lack of motivation,’ raising questions amid poor performances against New Zealand.

India’s senior cricketers Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin to decline participation in the Duleep Trophy

Citing a “lack of motivation,” has stirred significant discussions. Amid India’s first-ever 0-3 Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand, the refusal has drawn criticism from former players and cricket enthusiasts alike, who argue that participation could have offered valuable match practice for the seasoned trio.

Ahead of a demanding Test schedule starting in September, Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee had urged the senior players to take part in the Duleep Trophy, which took place in Bengaluru and Anantapur from September 5 to 22. 

However, Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin decided against participating, claiming motivation issues after a month-long break from international play. 

This decision has led many, including former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, to question their readiness for high-stakes series, especially after poor individual performances against New Zealand.

Lack of Match Practice Cited as Key Factor

One of the main reasons experts believe India faced difficulties against New Zealand was due to insufficient match practice among its senior players. 

Rohit and Kohli, in particular, struggled with the bat, both recording some of the lowest averages of their careers in this series. 

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Gavaskar highlighted that playing in the Duleep Trophy could have served as essential preparation. 

“It’s a long gap. New Zealand brought players experienced on Indian pitches, making it tough for us,” he commented, emphasising the importance of match readiness.

Repercussions on Team Performance

India’s comprehensive defeat to New Zealand on home soil has sparked broader concerns about the approach to team selection and match preparation. 

While younger players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant participated in the Duleep Trophy, the absence of senior figures like Kohli and Rohit stands out. 

Their underwhelming scores in the New Zealand series—192 runs at 21.33 for Kohli and 533 runs at 28.05 for Rohit—underscore the need for consistent play to maintain form. 

This situation has sparked discussions about the role of domestic tournaments in preparing for international fixtures, especially when senior players are involved.

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