‘We Are White-Ball Bullies’: Calls for Kohli, Rohit to Play Ranji Trophy Amid Test Cricket Concerns

‘We Are White-Ball Bullies’: Calls for Kohli, Rohit to Play Ranji Trophy Amid Test Cricket Concerns

Cricket experts and former players have stated that senior players, especially Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, are desperately needed to play in the second half of the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season after India’s humiliating 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which saw them lose the title for the first time in eight years. After their underwhelming results on the Australia trip, they may have an opportunity to go back to their best during the forthcoming domestic season.

Gautam Gambhir, the former coach and cricketer for India, quietly underlined the importance of players like Rohit and Kohli playing in the local circuit, arguing that it would be a crucial chance for them to regain their form before the next World Test Championship cycle begins in June. Nevertheless, despite the mounting demands for their involvement, Mohammad Kaif, another well-known personality in Indian cricket, thinks that both Rohit and Kohli may miss the season because of the rigorous schedule that lies ahead.

India’s Australia Tour: A Wake-Up Call for Test Cricket

India suffered a serious setback as they lost the series to Australia. Despite winning the first game in Perth, the squad lost badly in the Sydney final, falling down by six wickets. In Australia, Kohli, who has been in poor form since 2022, scored just 190 runs in nine innings, including one hundred. With a pitiful 31 runs at a miserable average of just 6.20, Rohit’s performance was even more disappointing, marking him Australia’s weakest visiting skipper.

In line with the worries expressed by several cricket analysts, Kaif said that although the senior players’ withdrawal from the Ranji season may appear to be a calculated move, it ultimately hinders the team’s ability to prepare for the Test format. He brought out the widening gap between the “white-ball bullies” of India and their longer-format difficulties. Kaif emphasized that India has to start assembling a strong Test squad and train on seaming and turning tracks, which are far harder than the usually flat wickets found in white-ball forms if they want to succeed in the World Test Championship. In a social media video, Kaif stated, “India may get praise for defeating Pakistan in the Champions Trophy in February, but if they want to win the World Test Championship, the players need to adapt to playing on diverse conditions and formats.”

The Tough Decision: Kohli and Rohit’s Absence from Ranji Trophy

Since the two missed the first half of the season earlier in October, there has been more pressure on players like Rohit and Kohli to participate in the Ranji Trophy. A Ranji participation, however, appears less possible given their busy international itinerary, which includes an ODI series against England in early February, the Champions Trophy, and the IPL. While the demands for domestic participation were legitimate, Kaif admitted that players like Rohit and Kohli would be tempted to put their rest before participating during the Ranji season because of the hectic schedule.

Kaif continued by criticizing the national team’s refusal to play domestic cricket, claiming that if players don’t participate in practice matches or the Ranji Trophy, they will still struggle to meet the demands of international Test cricket. Now, Kaif emphasized, the focus must be on bolstering the Test team’s toughness, especially when it comes to handling conditions that exist in places like Australia and South Africa, where seam and spin are essential.

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In the past, Kohli and Rohit have chosen to skip the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy matches, claiming the need for relaxation, despite the hype and demands for their participation in local cricket. This has led to more criticism, particularly as the Test series began without any significant international assignments. As the next World Test Championship cycle approaches, all eyes will be on India’s preparations for this pivotal stage.