India’s batter Ravindra Jadeja celebrates his century during the third Test cricket match between India and England, at Niranjan Shah Stadium, in Rajkot, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)
India’s recent performances in red-ball cricket have raised questions on whether is it wise for some of the star players to go and play domestic cricket. The BCCI had made participation in domestic cricket mandatory unless the player is unavailable due to an injury.
While it was confirmed on Saturday that Rohit Sharma will play Mumbai’s Ranji trophy game against Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja added the list as he too will play Saurashtra’s Ranji game against Delhi.
“Jadeja has turned up for training today. He will play the next match,” Saurashtra Cricket Association president Jaydev Shah told PTI on Sunday. While Rishabh Pant will be part of Delhi’s playing eleven against Saurashtra, India talisman Virat Kohli will not take part in the game due to an injury.
Post the Champions Trophy squad announcement on Saturday, chief selector Ajit Agarkar spoke about the importance of national cricketers playing domestic cricket.
“I don’t think it’s a diktat. It’s one of the things that BCCI has obviously put forward. But as I said, I mean, as selectors, we expect people, when they’re available, to play because that can only strengthen our domestic structure,” Agarkar had said.
“Not just for their form or their fitness and playing cricket, but it can only strengthen our domestic structure. So, when the time permits, we expect everyone to play.”
Indian batting has collapsed time and again in the home series against New Zealand and Border Gavaskar Trophy later. The likes of Rohit and Kohli who are the senior statesmen of the side were going through a lean patch and were unable to impact with the bat to alter the sides results.
Though India won 2-0 against Bangladesh before getting white-washed against New Zealand at home both these players looked out of rhythm in that series as well. Just before the start of the season Sunil Gavaskar would mention the importance of playing domestic cricket as many senior players opted out of Duleep Trophy.
Once a player hits the mid-thirties in any sport, then regular competition will help him maintain the high standards he has set,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for the mid-day.
“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,” Gavaskar added.
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