Will Kohli and Rohit Be Required to Play Domestic Cricket? BCCI's Stand Explained

The issue of giving priority to domestic cricket for Team India players is once again in discussion. Under the rules framed by the BCCI last year, it was mandatory for players who are not on national duty to play domestic cricket. However, the question is now arising whether this rule will also apply to senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Speculation has intensified about the participation of big players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the second phase of the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy starting on January 23. Earlier, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer did not take part in domestic cricket, which angered the BCCI. Ishan had taken a mental health break, while Iyer withdrew from the Test series. However, Iyer later played semi-finals and finals for Mumbai.

According to reports, no strict action will be taken on Virat and Rohit to play domestic cricket. A BCCI official said that players like Kohli could find it beneficial to play domestic cricket to return to the old form. But the decision depends on the player's wishes.

After Team India's poor batting performance in Australia, the BCCI has talked about emphasizing on domestic cricket. A board official said, "Playing domestic tournaments brings the confidence of the players back. It is important that the players, no matter how experienced, understand this. ”

If a player does not participate in a domestic tournament without a valid reason, it can affect his selection in Team India. The board believes that spending time at the crease and performing in domestic matches makes the players mentally and technically strong.

For players like Virat and Rohit, the decision to play domestic cricket could be a turning point. Although the BCCI will not take strict action on them, the players have to understand that their international comeback can be made easier only by performing in domestic cricket.