Former Indian captain and cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his concerns over the decision to rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Duleep Trophy ahead of India‘s upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Gavaskar believes that the two senior players should have participated in the domestic tournament to gain match practice and maintain their fitness levels before the crucial series.
Gavaskar Emphasizes the Importance of Match Practice
Gavaskar, who has been vocal about the need for consistent playing time for cricketers in their mid-30s, argued that regular competition is essential to maintain high performance standards. He pointed out that a lack of match practice could lead to a decline in muscle memory, making it challenging for players to return to their peak form.
In his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar wrote, “The selectors have not picked 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.”
Gavaskar added, “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.”
Rohit and Kohli’s Recent Form and Domestic Record
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of India’s most celebrated cricketers, have not played in domestic competitions for several years. Rohit’s last domestic appearance was in 2016, while Kohli last played in 2012. Their recent performances in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka were mixed. Rohit registered scores of 58, 64, and 35, while Kohli struggled with scores of 24, 14, and 20.
Kohli also missed the five-match Test series against England earlier this year, where his performances in the previous Test against South Africa in January 2024 were underwhelming, scoring 46 and 12 in his two innings.
BCCI’s Stance on Resting Senior Players
In response to the criticism, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah defended the decision to rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Duleep Trophy. Shah cited the need to manage the players’ workload and minimize the risk of injury before the Test series against Bangladesh. He drew parallels with practices in other cricketing nations like Australia and England, where not all international players participate in domestic tournaments.
“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,” Shah told ANI, as reported by The Times of India.
Contrasting Examples from England and Australia
While Shah’s statement highlights the practice of resting senior players, it is worth noting that some of their counterparts in England and Australia continue to participate in domestic cricket. For instance, England captain Ben Stokes recently turned out for Durham in the County Championships, while Australia’s Test skipper Pat Cummins is reportedly set to play in the Sheffield Shield as preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Looking Ahead to the Bangladesh Series
With the Test series against Bangladesh looming, the debate over the importance of domestic match practice for senior players remains contentious. While the BCCI’s approach focuses on managing player workload, the concerns raised by cricketing greats like Sunil Gavaskar underline the need for balancing rest with adequate preparation. As Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gear up for the series without recent domestic experience, their performance against Bangladesh will be closely watched by fans and experts alike.
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