India’s Cricket giants avoid domestic grind: Kohli last played in 2012, Rohit in 2016

India’s top cricketers, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have not played domestic red-ball cricket in years, raising concerns about their match fitness for Test cricket. Kohli last played in 2012, while Sharma hasn’t featured in domestic red-ball games for nine years. This lack of domestic match practice is affecting their performance on the international stage.

Recently, India’s team faced significant setbacks, losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) to Australia and suffering a 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand. These defeats resulted in India missing the World Test Championship final. Experts are now questioning the lack of game time for key players, which could have contributed to these losses.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has called for regular participation in domestic cricket, especially the Ranji Trophy, to maintain Test match rhythm. He emphasized that players like Kohli, Sharma, and others must show commitment by playing in domestic matches. A team management insider also pointed out that red-ball practice is essential for players to get into the right rhythm and prevent stagnation.

While the BCCI had warned players about prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket, top stars have largely remained unscathed. Meanwhile, players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan lost their central contracts for skipping domestic games. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan called for a cultural shift, citing that even legends like Sachin Tendulkar played Ranji Trophy matches despite not being required to do so.

India’s recent Test series exposed the team’s “red-ball rust” and over-reliance on white-ball habits. Batting mistakes were evident, with players like Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli struggling to tackle deliveries outside the off-stump. Bowlers like Mohammed Siraj also lacked consistency, and there were issues with maintaining intensity and focus during long spells.

The batting department has also struggled, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal managing significant time at the crease in Australia. Other batsmen, like Kohli and Sharma, failed to play long innings, with Kohli failing to last 100 balls in most of his innings. The series against New Zealand also showed a lack of Test match temperament, with Indian batsmen failing to negotiate turning tracks effectively.

On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah’s performances stood out, but others failed to sustain intensity. Siraj and Harshit Rana were inconsistent, and there was no bowler who could deliver tirelessly, as seen in past series.

Domestic players like Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran, who have been consistently performing well in domestic cricket, were overlooked in favor of less experienced players. Such instances contribute to a perception that the team management is no longer rewarding consistent domestic performances.

Despite these challenges, there’s a need for a shift in focus back to domestic cricket, which could benefit both the stars and the system. The return of star players to domestic cricket could help revive their own form while strengthening the national team for future challenges.