The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly communicated to the senior players, advising them to play the first match of the second leg of Ranji Trophy. All eyes are on seniors including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and others to see if they turn up for the domestic tourney which resumes on January 23. While head coach Gautam Gambhir had categorically stated that all players must play domestic red-ball cricket during international break, it remains to be seen if the senior pros who had skipped the tournament so far will turn up for it again.
India cricket team seniors advised to play Ranji Trophy
As per The Hindu, a BCCI source said that while playing the Ranji Trophy has not been made mandatory, it has been communicated to the players. The source added that should the players choose to skip, then it will be left up to the selectors to decide on the future course of action.
“It’s not been made mandatory but it has been communicated to all the cricketers, even the fringe players, to play Ranji Trophy. If they don’t, it will be up to the selectors to take suitable action,” a BCCI source said.
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What Gambhir said about domestic cricket
While the BCCI has categorically stated in early 2024 that domestic cricket was a must to earn a spot in the Indian side, seniors including Kohli, Virat, Pant, KL Rahul and others skipped, citing international commitments and rest needed. The calls for players to compulsorily play domestic cricket gathered momentum once again following India’s 1-3 thrashing at the hands of Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The flaws of the batters were exposed during the IND vs AUS Test series, to an extent where head coach Gambhir had said that every player must play domestic cricket to get “desired results” and get better.
“I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket. That is how much importance domestic cricket needs to be given. Not only one game. If they are available and they have the commitment to play red ball cricket, everyone should play domestic cricket. As simple as it can get. If you don’t give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the desired players that you want,” Gambhir had said.
| Player | Years since last Ranji match |
| Rohit Sharma | 9 years |
| Virat Kohli | 13 years |
| Shubman Gill | 6 years |
| KL Rahul | 9 years |
| Rishabh Pant | 6 years |
