'They Run Risk Of...': Jay Shah On Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli's Absence From Duleep Trophy

Secretary Jay Shah stated that to manage the workload of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, BCCI decided not to press them to play in the Duleep Trophy before India-Bangladesh Test series.

Jay Shah emphasized that top players like Kohli and Rohit must be respected and managed carefully.

Source : PTI

The squads announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for this year’s Duleep Trophy reflect a significant change from the norm, as it is now more common for international players to participate in domestic cricket.

Batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were initially expected to participate in the Duleep Trophy before the home Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. However, they weren't named in any of the teams.

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Secretary Jay Shah stated that to manage the workload of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, BCCI decided not to press them to play in the Duleep Trophy before India-Bangladesh Test series to avoid the risk of injury. Shah emphasized that similar to the norm in other leading cricketing nations, top players like Kohli and Rohit must be respected and managed carefully.

"It doesn't make sense to add to Virat and Rohit’s load by asking them to play domestic cricket. They run the risk of getting injured. You also need to look at England and Australia. None of their top players play domestic cricket. We must treat our players respectfully and not treat them like servants," Jay Shah told the Times of India.

Indian players who play first-class cricket have been selected for the start of 2024-25 domestic season.

"If you look Duleep Trophy squad, apart from Rohit and Virat rest are going to play," Shah said. 

Shah emphasized that the BCCI has communicated clearly to players that they are expected to participate in domestic cricket whenever possible.

"Whoever gets injured and goes out can only come into the Indian team after proving his fitness in domestic cricket," the BCCI Secretary added.

Shah's message indicates that even veteran Mohammed Shami won't be able to make an immediate comeback to the Indian team from injury for matches against Bangladesh or New Zealand. He will need to demonstrate his form and fitness in the domestic circuit before returning to the national team.

"We have been little strict. When Ravindra Jadeja had got injured, I was the one who called him and asked him to play a domestic game."