“Virat Kohli should take inspiration from the Mumbai cricketers” - Delhi official’s advice for star batter after failures in BGT 2024-25

Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma has urged Virat Kohli to compete in domestic tournaments for Delhi like some of his peers have played for Mumbai in recent times. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has pushed players to take domestic cricket seriously on several occasions, making it almost mandatory as part of their central contract.

Virat Kohli last played in the Ranji Trophy back in 2012, a fact that has been highlighted and criticized by several former players like Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan. As per the new directive, where players have been urged to play domestic cricket, there has been a massive and positive turnout. However, senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja are yet to feature.

Amid a lack of runs, and scrutiny regarding his place in the side, Rohit Sharma has turned up for Mumbai in their practice session ahead of the second half of the Ranji Trophy season. Shubman Gill has also reportedly made himself available for the upcoming Ranji Trophy contests for Punjab. However, there is no such initiative from Virat Kohli's side so far.

“Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are in the probable list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway. Virat should take inspiration from the Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket, whenever he is available. See in Mumbai, there has always been a culture where their India players turn up for Ranji matches whenever available. It is missing in the North, especially in Delhi," Ashok Sharma told The Indian Express.

The likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer and more have consistently played for Mumbai in the recent past. The domestic heavyweights have two titles in their grasp at the minute after winning the Ranji Trophy last season, and winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy recently.

Ashok Sharma admitted the chances of players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant turning up for even one match in the season seems highly unlikely.

“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," he added.

The longer format players have a sizeable gap after the culmination of the Border-Gavaskar series. Their next assignment is likely to be the upcoming three-match ODI series at home against England, followed by the Champions Trophy 2025.

"They should, but there are too many moving parts" - DDCA President Rohan Jaitley on Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant playing domestic cricket

Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were named in the 84-man probable list for the Ranji Trophy. The first half of the Ranji Trophy coincided with Team India's home season, and the build-up to the Border-Gavaskar series.

DDCA President Rohan Jaitley stated that players should try to compete in domestic cricket if they are available and injury-free. He felt that players should ideally turn up for such matches, but admitted that it was a complicated scenario due to workload and fitness.

“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. It is exceptionally important to participate in the domestic tournament. If on national duty, obviously one cannot participate, but otherwise, they should," Jaitley told the Indian Express.

The second half of the Ranji Trophy season is scheduled to begin from January 23. Delhi will face Saurashtra, away from home.