“You hardly have any time,” Rohit Sharma confirms Ranji Trophy participation for Mumbai after 10 years

Rohit also commented on BCCI's diktat to play domestic cricket.

Rohit Sharma | Getty

India skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday (January 18) confirmed that he will participate in Mumbai's next Ranji Trophy fixture against Jammu and Kashmir, starting on January 23.

Notably, the BCCI has announced sweeping changes to Indian cricket team's player regulations in the aftermath of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy debacle.

India conceded the BGT 1-3 to Australia for the first time since 2014-15. Before the tour Down Under, the Rohit Sharma-led side also suffered a humiliating 0-3 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand in home conditions.

Cracking the whip against the players, the BCCI has implemented a stringent 10-point guidelines, including making participation in domestic tournaments mandatory to be eligible for national team selection and central contracts. It also warned of disciplinary action in case of non-compliance.

During India's Champions Trophy squad announcement, Rohit was asked if he would turn up for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir. To this, the 37-year-old replied, "Yes, I will."

This will be his first red-ball appearance for Mumbai in 10 years. Commenting further on BCCI's diktat about domestic cricket, Rohit said, "If you go back and watch our calendar, there hasn't been a time where we were sitting at home for 45 days and there is cricket going on. You do get that time when you finish IPL, and if there's nothing happening right after that.”

"But if you see our domestic season, it starts in October, maybe September. And it gets over by March, February-March. And that is the time India plays a lot of cricket as well," he added.

Rohit also highlighted the challenges of being an all-format player and how playing domestic cricket was not always feasible in the past.

"So, guys who are not playing certain formats and have time, and then there is domestic cricket happening, then they will play. But the last 6-7 years, I can at least tell about what has happened with me since I have started playing Test cricket regularly, which is from 2019. You hardly have any time," he stated.

"And then when you play so much international cricket through the year, you need some time off as well as a cricketer just to refresh, get your mind right, just to be ready for the upcoming season," he remarked.

Speaking further, Rohit said, "But we have addressed it now, and nobody takes it for granted or anything like that. It is just based on, you know, looking at how one has gone through the season, how much rest he needs. Based on all of that, we decide what is going to happen with certain players. And then, yeah, obviously, now it's been made mandatory that if there is time, you have to play domestic cricket."

On the other hand, chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized that everyone should look to play domestic cricket when they are available as it will only strengthen the domestic structure.

"I don't think it's a diktat. I think everyone should, when available. Sometimes, to be fair to a lot of the players, it's difficult if you're playing all three formats. You don't get as much time, but there's no doubt. You'll probably find most guys playing this round of the Ranji Trophy. There's been a little bit of time. And those who are available and fit, obviously, you expect people to play," said Agarkar.

"I don't think it's a diktat. It's one of the things that BCCI has obviously put forward. But as I said, I mean, as selectors, we expect people, when they're available, to play because that can only strengthen our domestic structure. Not just for their form or their fitness and playing cricket, but it can only strengthen our domestic structure. So, when the time permits, we expect everyone to play," he added.

(With Hindustan Times Inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 18 Jan, 2025

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