Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh has made a strong appeal for senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to take part in domestic cricket. With no matches scheduled for these players until the One Day International (ODI) series against England, Yograj believes it’s important for them to play at the domestic level.
After the recent Test series loss in Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a new guideline that encourages players to engage in domestic cricket when they are not representing the national team. Yograj weighed in on this change, emphasizing the idea that no player can consider themselves bigger than the game itself. He referred to cricket legends like Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Don Bradman, emphasizing that even these greats respected the sport and its demands.
“You can never become bigger than the game. Neither Viv Richards nor Don Bradman were bigger than cricket. So when you come back from tours, playing domestic cricket is essential. When Test players participate in these matches, it boosts the confidence of the younger players,” Yograj told ANI.
He also shared personal insights from his own family, recalling how his son, Yuvraj Singh, consistently participated in domestic tournaments whenever he was not part of the national squad. “Whenever Yuvi was not in the Indian team, he made it a point to play in the Ranji Trophy,” Yograj noted, advising current players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to do the same. He mentioned the need for fitness camps as crucial preparation, as he believes that real improvements come from actual match play rather than practice sessions.
The BCCI’s new policies are already yielding results, with players like Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Rohit Sharma confirming their participation in the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25. However, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul will miss out because of their ongoing injuries.
