「コーリ、パンツはランジ・トロフィーでプレーするべきだが、彼らがプレーするとは思わない」：DDCAのセキュリティーはムンバイからインスピレーションを得るようデュオに懇願

Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma urged Virat Kohli to take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and play the Ranji Trophy. His remarks come amid the uncertainty over the participation of the former Indian skipper in the second leg of the domestic red-ball tournament. Kohli, who last featured in a domestic game for Delhi in 2012, is yet to confirm his participation in the game that begins on January 23. Incidentally, Rohit Sharma joined the Mumbai team for practice at the Wankhede stadium on Tuesday as the team geared up for the second leg of the tournament.

“Virat Kohli should take inspiration from Mumbai”

Speaking to The Indian Express, DDCA secretary Sharma pointed out that both Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were mentioned in the Ranji probables list for Delhi. He urged Kohli to take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and participate in domestic tournaments whenever he is available. Further, Sharma said that while both Kohli and Pant should play at least one game, he reckons they won’t.

“Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are in the probable list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway. The BCCI has also mentioned players should participate in domestic cricket. I feel Virat and Rishabh should play at least one game, but I don’t think they will,” DDCA secretary Sharma said.

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DDCA president Rohan Jaitley told the publication that both Pant and Kohli ought to play domestic cricket but it depends on their fitness. He pointed out that it was exceptionally important for the players in the national team to keep domestic cricket on their priority list.

“They should, but there are too many moving parts. With the amount of cricket that they are playing, to be at the top of their fitness, they have to be at the top of their fitness. Multiple factors have to be looked at also,” Jaitley said.

Why Kohli, Pant need to play Ranji Trophy

One of the primary reasons for Kohli to return to domestic red-ball cricket is to improve his problems with outside off-stump which cost him his wicket on all eight occasions in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Besides, his form over the last four years in Tests has been miserable, seeing his average dip below 50 for the first time in his career.

Meanwhile, the last time Pant played in the Ranji Trophy was six years ago in 2018. He has played just 17 Ranji Trophy matches so far. At this point of time, it of dire need for the southpaw to return to the domestic fold.