While Rishabh Pant has confirmed his participation in the Ranji Trophy, Virat Kohli has yet to announce his decision. The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has now sent a strong message to the star batter, urging him to follow the example of other Indian players.
Despite being named in Delhi’s provisional squad, Kohli’s availability for the match against Saurashtra starting on January 23 remains uncertain. In contrast, players like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have already committed to playing in the Ranji Trophy.
DDCA’s Secretary Urges Virat Kohli to Play
Ashok Sharma, the DDCA secretary, has encouraged Virat Kohli to draw inspiration from Mumbai cricketers, who often make themselves available for domestic matches.
“Virat Kohli’s name is in the probables list. Rishabh Pant has confirmed his availability for the Delhi game against Saurashtra in Rajkot on January 23. Virat should take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and play domestic cricket whenever possible. In Mumbai, their India players often turn up for Ranji matches. This culture is missing in Delhi and the North,” Sharma told the Indian Express.
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BCCI Emphasizes Domestic Cricket
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also stressed the importance of domestic cricket participation for players who wish to extend their Test careers.
“The BCCI has made it clear that players should play domestic cricket. I feel Virat should play at least one game,” Sharma added.
DDCA President Takes a Balanced Approach
DDCA president Rohan Jaitley has a slightly different view, acknowledging that players need to manage their workload carefully.
“He should, but there are too many moving parts,” Jaitley said. “With the amount of cricket being played, players need to maintain peak fitness. Multiple factors like load management come into play, but domestic cricket should remain a priority.”
Jaitley also emphasized the role of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and selectors in managing player schedules while ensuring participation in key tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.
