Like Rahane-Iyer, Kohli will also have to play Ranji, DDCA Secretary hinted

Last updated:January 14, 2025, 2:56 pm IST

DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma said, “Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are in the probable list. Ranji Trophy camp is going on. Virat should take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and play domestic cricket for Delhi whenever available.” …read more

New Delhi. Senior players of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been asked to play domestic cricket after their poor performance in Australia. According to the information, BCCI has made it clear that the rules are the same for all Indian players and they play matches for their respective teams as per their time. Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma wants Virat Kohli to take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in Ranji Trophy whenever he/she is available.

Virat Kohli last played a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi in 2012. The 36-year-old right-handed batsman has been included in Delhi’s probable squad for the last two rounds of Ranji Trophy along with Rishabh Pant but there is no official update yet regarding his/her playing. DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma told The Indian Express on Tuesday, “Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are in the probable list. Ranji Trophy camp is going on. Virat should take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and play domestic cricket for Delhi whenever available. Mumbai has always had a culture where their Indian players play in Ranji matches whenever they are available. This does not happen in Delhi.”

According to Ashok Sharma, BCCI has asked Indian players to participate in domestic cricket and Virat should also play at least one match for Delhi. “BCCI has also said that players should participate in domestic cricket. I think Virat and Rishabh should play at least one match, but I don’t think they will play.”

DDCA President Rohan Jaitley also believes that ‘fit and available’ Kohli and Pant should play in Ranji Trophy. “he/she should play, but there are a lot of moving parts. The amount of cricket he/she is playing, he/she has to be on top of his/her fitness to stay on top of his/her fitness. “Many aspects should also be looked into.”