(Source X)
As the 2024 Duleep Trophy draws near, Indian cricket fans may be disappointed by the absence of senior stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah from the domestic circuit.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has suggested that these players could have participated in the tournament. He highlighted statistics showing that Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah have had ample rest recently, making them well-positioned to take part in the competition, which features a mix of senior players, emerging talents, and potential future stars.
In a post on Manjrekar’s official handle on X (formerly known as Twitter), the former Indian batter said, “India has played 249 international matches in the last 5 years. Rohit has played only 59% of those. Virat 61 % & Bumrah 34%. I see them as well-rested India players. Could have been selected for the Duleep trophy”.
The trio—Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah—are crucial players for India across all formats. The selectors have likely decided against including them in the Duleep Trophy due to upcoming international fixtures, notably the Border-Gavaskar Trophy scheduled for November.
However, Sanjay Manjrekar believes otherwise, advocating for their participation in the domestic tournament. It’s worth noting that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are approaching the latter stages of their careers, while Bumrah, a key asset in India’s bowling lineup, has faced injury issues and workload management concerns.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) previously issued a directive stating that players not engaged in national duties should participate in domestic cricket. This policy was expected to enhance the quality of India’s domestic game by featuring international stars in state-level matches. However, it seems this may not apply to the senior Indian players at present.
India’s upcoming fixtures include a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to be held in Chennai and Kanpur, followed by a three-match T20I series. Additionally, the Indian team will play against New Zealand at home and then tour Australia to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024.
