Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli reportedly declined Ajit Agarkar’s request to participate in domestic cricket. A media report suggests that the chief selector asked both players to participate in Duleep Trophy matches ahead of the New Zealand series, but they cited a lack of motivation as the reason for their refusal. During the New Zealand series, many analysts pointed out that the lack of match practice and poor shot selection contributed to India’s disappointing performance. According to a report in the Indian Express, a Duleep match was scheduled for senior players in Bengaluru and Anantapur between September 5 and 22 to provide better match practice.
Former Indian great Sunil Gavaskar echoed these concerns regarding India’s batting performance. He emphasized the need for players to have practice, stating, “They should have had some practice, definitely. It’s a long gap. I know we beat Bangladesh, and therefore, it looked as if it was going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand.” Gavaskar noted that New Zealand had a superior bowling attack, featuring players familiar with Indian pitches and conditions from their experiences in the IPL.
When examining the statistics, it is evident that both Rohit and Kohli have struggled in red-ball cricket this year. In 10 innings, Kohli, widely regarded as a modern-day great, has managed to score only 192 runs at an average of 21.33, marking one of his worst seasons to date. He has recorded just one fifty in these matches. Conversely, Rohit Sharma has accumulated 533 runs in 19 innings at an average of 28.05, with only 42 of those runs coming in the series against Bangladesh in September. This performance represents Rohit’s second-worst showing in a home contest and his worst in nine years.
The lack of match practice for both senior players has raised questions about their readiness for international challenges. As India prepares for future series, the emphasis on domestic participation for top players like Rohit and Kohli may be vital in ensuring they regain their form and adapt to varying pitch conditions, ultimately benefiting the team as a whole.
