Rashid Latif: Rohit and Kohli Targeted for Domestic Play
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Synopsis
Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has claimed that Indian players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are being pressured to participate in domestic cricket due to their red-ball performance, even as they prepare for crucial white-ball matches.
Key Takeaways
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli under scrutiny.
- Participation in Ranji Trophy matches.
- Focus on upcoming matches against England.
- Packed international schedule limits domestic play.
- Both players have succeeded without playing domestic cricket.
New Delhi, Jan 25 (NationPress) Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif asserted that the senior Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are currently under scrutiny for their performance in red-ball cricket, leading them to participate in domestic matches prior to significant white-ball competitions.
The captain of India for Test and ODI formats, Rohit Sharma, recently played for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy against Jammu & Kashmir, where he managed scores of three and 28 runs. Meanwhile, Kohli is set to join the Delhi team for their upcoming encounter with Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium starting January 30.
In addition to these stars, several members from the Test squad that experienced a 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia are participating in the latest round of Ranji Trophy matches. Noteworthy players include Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai), Rishabh Pant (Delhi), Ravindra Jadeja (Saurashtra), and Shubman Gill (Punjab).
According to Latif, both Rohit and Kohli should concentrate on their forthcoming white-ball matches against England and the Champions Trophy in Dubai next month.
He highlighted the challenges posed by a packed international schedule, which leaves players with little opportunity to engage in domestic cricket. Latif pointed out that the star duo participated in two World Cup finals over the last two years without engaging in domestic matches.
"There’s limited time for players to partake in domestic cricket because of the intense international schedule. If necessary, they should participate in domestic games, but the scrutiny on Rohit and Kohli is compelling them to take part in domestic cricket. Historically, apart from Sachin Tendulkar, others haven’t played much domestic cricket... Rohit and Kohli have secured the T20 World Cup and reached the ODI World Cup finals without domestic cricket experience. With the ODI series against England approaching, they should focus on preparation as white-ball cricket differs significantly," Latif conveyed to IANS.
Rohit and Kohli are scheduled to compete in a three-match ODI series against England beginning February 6. Both squads are currently engaged in a five-match T20I series, with India commencing with a decisive victory at Eden Gardens in Kolkata during the first T20I.
